Research Concerning "ikigai"(Purpose in Life) and Adaptation in Old Age: From the Perspective of Networks

This paper focuses on features of "ikigai" (purpose in life) in old age and networks surrounding the elderly. It provides a review pioneer research on these and adaptation to old age, and investigates future themes as well. Chapter 1 provides an overview of old age in the life cycle, discusses crises that occur in old age and psychological factors behind overcoming such crises. Chapter 2 focuses on "ikigai" for the elderly produced by interaction with other people in particular among all "ikigai". Chapter 3 discusses importance to elderly people of independence and "being of service to others" from the perspective of the network surrounding the elderly. Chapter 4 takes up "ikigai" of the elderly for whom physical and cognitive function have diminished, which has not been thoroughly investigated up to now, and discusses "ikigai" for and application to the dementia