Summary
In Takarazuka City, we have held the “Round Table Discussion for Cooperative Community Building in Takarazuka City” since 2018 with volunteers in order to study and implement and promote Takarazuka City as an Age-Friendly City.
In the round table discussion, it was decided that “Trial Exercises Towards Employment for Health and Purposeful Living” would be implemented. According to recent research, when older adults find purpose and meaning and are active members in society, their healthy life expectancy is extended. In the round table discussion, we examined if there were any way to increase employment opportunities for older adults in the city in to help strengthen and promote engagement and participation in society. We found there were nursing homes and daycares, etc which were in need of more staff. In the first trial, we had healthy older adults, mostly between the ages of 60 to 80 years old, work for three months.
Feedback indicated that both older adults and the facilities that were employing them were benefiting from the initiative. In addition, most older adults requested to continue to work and are still employed.
As of now, ten nursing homes and one daycare centre are participating in the trial employment project with hopes for further expansion in both the number of placements and types of industry.
Key facts
Main target group: Older people in general
Sector(s): Labor
Desired outcome for older people:
Learn, grow and make decisions
- Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
- Inclusion
- Participation