Occupational therapy and the language of healthy ageing

Occupational therapy and the language of healthy ageingAustralians have one of the highest life expectancies in the world.Australian females aged 65 can expect to live for another 22 years and Australian males another 20 years.Most older Australians (7 in 10) consider their health to be good, very good or excellent (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2018).Many people have positive expectations of life beyond retirement; they plan to use these years to prioritise activities which contribute to quality of life.Older people report there are multiple benefits of ageing; these include being able to spend more time with family, more time for leisure activities, and having more financial security.Additionally, more than half believe they are treated with more respect in old age (Pew Research Center, 2009).The contribution of older adults to society is substantial.Within the workplace, older adults bring experience and extensive professional knowledge (Australian HR Institute, 2018).Research suggests that advancing age is associated with improved social reasoning (Grossmann et al., 2010) meaning that older adults may be better placed to take on roles involving complex social situations or negotiations.It is important to see and acknowledge the value of older adults beyond their paid work roles.Older adults are essential for a vibrant and functioning community.Approximately one third of adults aged 65-74 perform volunteer work, including in health, aged, and social care organisations (AIHW, 2019).One quarter of grandparents provide regular care for grandchildren (Ee et al., 2020).Families report that as well as providing practical assistance regular care provides an opportunity for grandparents to pass on wisdom to the younger generation.Older Australians often provide care for other older adults such as friends, spouses or older relatives.Importantly, older adults are family members, friends, community members, and neighbours.Intergenerational learning programs have received considerable attention recently in line with the success of the Australian television series 'Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds' (ABC, 2021).In such programs, different generations come together to participate in shared activities with projected benefits for both groups.Children can connect with an older generation, learn important lessons about life, and develop their communication and social skills.For older people, particularly those in residential care homes, participation may build their sense of purpose and contribution.Intergenerational programs are thought to be helpful in