A review of studies on the motives of older adults: Orientation for adapting to changes related to loss in old age

Abstract

This article reviews research on the motives (i.e., the reason for action) of older adults to engage in various activities. This review included studies on the motives of older adults engaging in the following activities: (1) physical activity/exercise, (2) lifelong learning/education, (3) volunteering, (4) leisure activities, (5) caring (i.e., medical and nursing care) for older adults, (6) relocation, and (7) work. The selected studies indicated that the motives of older adults are divided into four categories: (1) personal- and acquisition-oriented, (2) social- and acquisition-oriented, (3) personal- and regulation-oriented, and (4) social- and regulation-oriented. This finding suggested that older adults participate in activities with these motives in an attempt to adapt to changes associated with loss as they age such as a decline in physical and cognitive function, and a diminishing of interpersonal relationships.