[Is Work in Older Age Healthy? Findings from Family Run Businesses Using the Example of Bavarian Rural Economics]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rural Economics
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Work in later life is crucial for individual well-being and societal contribution.
• Older individuals, particularly those beyond retirement age, often remain active in family businesses.
• Evaluating their subjective health is essential for understanding the benefits of continued employment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To multidimensionally assess the subjective health of older individuals working in Bavarian rural family businesses.
• To investigate the relationship between working in later life and health indicators.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on a representative sample of 3,176 individuals.
• The sample was stratified proportionally to regional population numbers.
• Results are generalizable to men, individuals aged 65+, and those in small/medium enterprises.

Main Results:

• Life satisfaction among working older individuals is comparable to the general German population of the same age.
• Compared to commercial and technical fields, working in rural businesses showed lower physical and psychological complaints.
• Higher job satisfaction was reported by older workers, with health indicators influenced by age and gender, not enterprise structure.

Conclusions:

• Continued work in older age can significantly contribute to subjective health and well-being.
• Family business succession processes may influence the health of older workers.
• Findings are relevant for similar agricultural and craft sectors, promoting a positive societal view of aging.