Promotion of work ability, the quality of work and retirement

In this study, the validity of a model designed to promote the work ability of aging workers was examined. The target areas of work ability promotion were searched for the characteristics that explain work ability the best. I n addition, the way work ability relates to the quality of work and retirem ent was examined. The subjects (n = 1101) participated in the follow-up stu dy on aging Finnish workers in 1992 and 1997. The results consistently supp orted the model for promoting work ability. All four areas of focus-(i) wor k demands and the environment; (ii) work organization and the work communit y; (iii) the promotion of workers' health and functional capacity; and (iv) the promotion of professional competence-proved to be strongly associated with work ability. Good work ability was associated with a high quality of work and the enjoyment of staying in one's job. It also predicted active an d meaningful retirement.