Homo ludens : adult creativity and quality of life

J.L. Fozard, H. Bouma, A. Franco, J.E.M.H. Bronswijk, van

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Fun and its associated technology has been with modern man from the start of his existence, and has been put central in human cultural and personal development during his whole life span. However, technology for pleasure and leisure for older adults is scarcely researched, and not included in international ADL or iADL schemes, probably because gerontechnology and most gerontology was established in the 2nd Machine Age of modern cities that focuses on somatic health, and not so much on experience and emotion. The recognition of increased diversity with age in desires and aspirations is mirrored by a greater detailing of the ages of the 2nd half of the human lifespan. Each of the 4 sub-ages of the well known 3rd age of life (active retirement) calls for its own approach to creativity and fun: a sense of quest at midlife reevaluation, new energy at liberation, finding a larger meaning at summing up, and long-lasting contributions for the encore phase (in sensu Cohen). Technological support of this enjoyable creativity may take the form of low tech or high tech, as long as the man-machine interface fits the life-long experience and technology generation of individual older adults.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)187-196
Number of pages10
JournalGerontechnology
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Homo ludens : adult creativity and quality of life'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this