The aim is to study how work, work ability, transitioning into retirement and life style predict active aging, wellbeing in old age and need of care in old age. This project utilizes pre-existing population-based datasets, with interview, clinical examination or postal questionnaire data available for several decades. In addition, register-based data on retirement, use of reimbursable medication, health services and mortality is available. This project is done in collaboration with the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH).

FIOH launched in 1981 a survey on the work ability and health of middle-aged municipal workers and the latest follow-up was completed in 2009. This project will also utilize data of the Evergreen-project, which was launched in 1988 among 65-85-year old people living in Jyväskylä. Almost all participants have died, and consequently we plan to use these data to study predictors of need of care in the last year of life.

This study will produce new knowledge about the long-term effect that the work career has on old age health and functioning. We will investigate e.g. how influences during earlier life, such as work and work ability, predict old age health, physical functioning, participation, care need and disability. The research will produce unique information on the effects of work on old age wellbeing, which has thus far been little studied. The study will contribute to research knowledge in the area of occupational gerontology.

Funding

Academy of Finland

Research group

Principal investigator

Professor Taina Rantanen, taina.rantanen[at]sport.jyu.fi, Deparment of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä

Postdoctoral researchers

Mikaela von Bonsdorff, mikaela.vonbonsdorff[at]jyu.fi Deparment of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä Early physical development, growth and work career as determinants of old age health and functioning – Life course epidemiology

Monika von Bonsdorff, monika.bonsdorff[at]jyu.fi Deparment of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä Individual and work-related predictors of dynamic retirement and active ageing (Dynamo)

Jenni Kulmala, jenni.kulmala[at]jyu.fi Deparment of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä  Are psychosocial symptoms and self-rated health early and shared risk factors for physical disability and cognitive decline in old age? (PSCog)

Statistical expert

Timo Törmäkangas, PhD, timo.tormakangas[at]jyu.fi Deparment of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä

Selected publications

von Bonsdorff MB, Seitsamo J, Ilmarinen J, Nygård CH, von Bonsdorff ME, Rantanen T. Work ability in midlife as a predictor of mortality and disability in later life: a 28-year prospective follow-up study. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2011;183:E235-42.

von Bonsdorff ME, Kokko K, Seitsamo J, von Bonsdorff MB, Nygård CH, Ilmarinen J, Rantanen T. Work strain in midlife and 28-year work ability trajectories. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 2011;37:455-63.

von Bonsdorff MB, Seitsamo J, Ilmarinen J, Nygård CH, von Bonsdorff ME, Rantanen T. Job strain among blue-collar and white-collar employees as a determinant of total mortality: A 28-year population-based follow-up.BMJ Open 2012;2:e000860.

Kulmala J, von Bonsdorff MB, Stenholm S, Törmäkangas T, von Bonsdorff ME, Nygård CH, Klockars M, Seitsamo J, Ilmarinen J, Rantanen T. Perceived stress symptoms in midlife predict disability in old age. A 28-year prospective cohort study. Journal of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2013;68:984-91.

Collaborators

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (Jorma Seitsamo)

Juhani Ilmarinen Consulting Oy (Juhani Ilmarinen)

University of Tampere (Clas-Håkan Nygård)