senior citizens

The world sociological science currently shows an increased interest in population ageing and elderly’s life, which is associated with an increased life expectancy. Population aging is one of the main problems for many countries of the world. In modern conditions, old age becomes almost the longest period of a person’s life and no longer fits into the familiar concept of «sunset years». However, the inadequacy of both the phenomenological material and the methodological approaches causes a low degree of development of gerontological issues.

This article is devoted to the study of one of the forms of older citizens’ active longevity – a volunteer activity. It is noted that the usual forms of organization of elderly unemployed Russians active leisure (assistance in the upbringing of grandchildren, employment in the garden or suburban area, passion for applied arts, visiting clubs at cultural institutions and social services) no longer meet the interests of modern pensioners. It is proposed to use new forms of active longevity, including volunteer activities.