Self-organization in older age

Abstract

The article shows a relatively new form of self-organization of the elderly in Russia, which has been actively developing since 2018 on the basis of Centers of Moscow longevity and Youth (CML). Every senior citizen can apply to any CML in the city and organize their own club for the similar elderly people as well. Because of the enthusiasm of older Muscovites the total number of self-organized clubs by interests is increasing every year and, according to statistics (on January 2024), it is already more than 5 thousand. The self-organization of elders as a social phenomenon arouses research interest. The article presents a secondary analysis of available publications on the research topic based on quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as the results of the authors' research on the possibilities of representatives of the older generation to independently organize their free time, on their preferences in leisure activities in accordance with individual motivation, on the possibility of building new external and internal social connections. A total of 203 interviews were conducted with older Muscovites (55 y.o. and over), the leaders of the CML clubs in the Central and Southwestern districts of Moscow.