Older adults want to play active and meaningful roles in
their lives, including as part of a social network, a
neighborhood, and a community. Service providers and
policymakers must consider that a lack of sense of purpose
can become problematic as people age. Engaging them in
leisure activities and volunteer work is important.
Older adults want to stay active and contribute to society in
a reciprocal manner (meaning that they want to exchange their
services and skills with others for the mutual benefit of the
neighborhood or community). Qualitative and quantitative
studies published from 2005 to 2016 examining the social needs
of older adults were eligible for inclusion.