What exactly is the "life goal" of the elderly?We interviewed 290 people over the age of 60 for their responses.
1. Hobby time:
The number one reason for having a sense of purpose in life is "hobby time". Even if you simply say "hobbies", the content is extensive, and some of them answer "when I'm doing peer review", which may be a question that falls into the hobby category, but it can be seen that having something that can last for a long time, that is, something interesting and engaging, is closely related to the "purpose of life" in old age.
"Listen to records and CDs, read books. Admire the cultural heritage and natural landscapes. I study mathematics and physics" (65 years old, male, Aichi Prefecture).2. Spend time with couples, children, and familyAs with "time with grandchildren", which is in fifth place, there are many people who believe that time with their spouse and children is important.When I took up painting as a hobby, I could immerse myself in it, so I thought it was my goal in life that I loved since I was a child" (75-year-old woman, Osaka).
I was happy when I raised insects from eggs and larvae and safely became an adult, even though I had no purpose in life" (73-year-old female, Hyogo Prefecture).
Live happily through circle activities with close friends in the neighborhood, occasionally hold drinking parties with current employees and alumni of retired companies, meet regularly to eat with friends from the school days, and enjoy delicious meals from time to time" (72-year-old male, Chiba Prefecture).
I run a pottery club, and one of the reasons I live is to make pottery and eat with friends" (77-year-old male, Tokyo).
"When my husband and I were going about our normal daily lives, I understood what it became after a serious illness'Normal'How grateful I am, so continuing to live a normal life is the purpose of my life" (63-year-old female, Hiroshima Prefecture).When I was gardening with my wife" (67-year-old male, Fukuoka Prefecture).
Take care of my family from the inside out so that they can live a happy life" (78-year-old male, Kanagawa Prefecture).
When I get along with my spouse" (76-year-old male, Osaka).
3. Nothing special:
Of course, not all older people have a sense of purpose in life, and they do not seek a sense of purpose in life. First of all, the word "ikigai" itself is very abstract, so some people may find it difficult to answer.
"I didn't particularly think about it" (69-year-old female, Hokkaido).4. When working:There are many people who have no choice but to retire in old age, but there are also those who are able to continue in the job of their choice. Those who can answer that work is their goal in life, that it is their mission, can be said to be happiness in some sense.I don't seek a purpose in life because when I lose it or I can't do it anymore, the loss is huge" (69-year-old male, Gifu Prefecture).
It's not worth living, and if you do, your life will change. 68 years old, male, Niigata Prefecture).
I don't feel like I feel particularly worth living because I think I'm in the last years of my life" (85-year-old woman from Saga Prefecture).
"When I work, I am a caregiver for the elderly. When I took care of the user, I received words of thanks, and I am glad that I am doing this job" (62-year-old female, Osaka Prefecture).I am self-employed. I will hold on until the day before I die" (67-year-old male, Osaka).
It's definitely a job, and I want to get more done because I'm doing what I really want to do" (67-year-old female, Kanagawa Prefecture).
My hobby became work, so work is my goal in life" (72-year-old woman, Tokushima Prefecture).
5. Spend time with your grandchildren:
After all, or rather, naturally, "grandchildren" are one of the powerful "reasons to live" for the elderly.
"My grandchildren are growing up and my family is eating the food I make and saying it's delicious. Especially when my grandson told me to do it again because it was delicious" (61-year-old female, Aichi Prefecture).6. Stay healthy:Some respondents replied that "ikigai" means "healthy".It's time to see how happy my grandchildren are and I feel like all the hard work I've put into my life has paid off. 75 years old, male, Tochigi Prefecture).
While skiing with his grandson" (72-year-old male, Niigata Prefecture).
When my grandchildren come to visit me from time to time" (81-year-old male, Kyoto).
Many people may think that "staying healthy every day is the starting point for doing something".
"Being able to interact with various people in a beautiful and healthy way, and being able to enjoy my work and hobbies" (69-year-old woman, Tokyo).Good health and able to move freely" (67 male, Chiba Prefecture).
It's about being healthy and not disturbing others" (64-year-old male, Osaka).
Stay healthy and continue to work" (62-year-old woman from Yamanashi Prefecture).
7. When exercising:
The percentage of seniors participating in foot clubs has been increasing in recent years, but getting into the habit of exercising is good for health, communication with peers is enhanced, and many have a sense of purpose in life.
"Every morning, when I was engrossed and enjoying my croquet hobby with friends at a nearby park" (76-year-old male, Chiba Prefecture).8. Travel:When I like to play golf with my colleagues at work and colleagues who work until retirement" (73-year-old male, Saitama Prefecture).
I can't say that this is my goal in life, but now that I am in the midst of a corona disaster, it is the most fun to go to curves, which is both a health maintenance and a hobby, and to take all possible measures to prevent infection. I had lunch in June for the first time in three years and three months, and I didn't play with anything else" (64 years old, Kanagawa female).
When I play table tennis, I am the most motivated person in my life right now" (81-year-old male, Fukuoka Prefecture).
For seniors, travel adds color to their daily lives. For this reason, many people look forward to traveling several times a year. Now that the pandemic is receding, many seniors are looking forward to being able to travel.
"I was able to easily travel domestically while maintaining my popularity" (75-year-old male, Fukuoka Prefecture).Traveling with a couple and having a relaxing time" (73-year-old male from Kanagawa Prefecture).
When I do what I want to do, I make my own plans and travel alone" (75-year-old female, Tokyo).
Traveling with family and talking to grandchildren" (77-year-old male, Kanagawa Prefecture).
9. Live a peaceful life every day:
There are a certain number of opinions that it doesn't matter if you can live a peaceful life every day and not look for any special purpose in life.
"It would be nice if you could live peacefully every day" (70-year-old male, Fukuoka Prefecture).10. During meals:When you eat delicious food with your family and grandchildren, you may feel a sense of being alive and grateful. Eating on such occasions is not just about food, but about the feeling of sharing the blessings of life together.I don't have a sense of purpose in life, dreams, or hopes, but I want to live happily every day" (70-year-old female, Hyogo Prefecture).
What I was able to do until yesterday can continue today, it's a hobby, and the rest is tidying up" (71-year-old woman, Hokkaido).
Take it easy every day, it's a gradual but difficult climb. I want to walk slowly" (82-year-old male, Aichi Prefecture).
"Even if there is nothing special, I am content to eat delicious sushi and cake with my companions once in a while" (64-year-old female, Oita Prefecture).You can see that the main ones are as follows:One is not actively seeking something, but being able to live each day of life peacefully, which is Article 10: Food, Article 9: Living a peaceful life every day, Article 6: Health.While my wife and I were eating leisurely" (66-year-old male, Kanagawa Prefecture).
When I had a delicious meal and drink" (71-year-old male, Aichi Prefecture).
When I eat under the gift of nature" (74-year-old male, Chiba Prefecture).
The second is "the purpose of life is to interact and interact with the family", which corresponds to Article 5: Time spent with grandchildren, Article 2: Time spent with spouse, children and family.
The third is "actively doing something brings a sense of purpose in life", Article 8: Travel, Article 7: When exercising, Article 4: When working, Article 1: Hobby time, etc.