Given the worldwide phenomenon of population ageing, it is important to further differentiate the life conditions and experiences of the ‘young old’, the old, the ‘old old’, and the ‘super old’. Using data collected from in-depth interviews with Taiwanese centenarians and their family members, this paper explores the meanings of productive ageing and the necessity of expanding the concept of productive ageing. This research suggests that the oldest member of the family and the society plays an important role. Centenarians not only serve as symbols for the value of life and anchors of family traditions, they also set an example for younger generations through their long lives and continuing survival. In addition, their life stories are a living history of a nation. This paper concludes with the proposition that productive ageing is cumulative over a lifetime, and is not uni-directional from the past to the future.

Mode of access: Internet.