Baby boomers ageing well? Challenges in the search for meaning in later life

This article focuses on the process of ageing from a focus on spirituality in the context of meaning for baby boomers. A major question for baby boomers as they approach the later part of the life span is where to find meaning. The strong focus of autonomy, control, and material benefits experienced through life are likely to be challenged in the process of ageing, at least by frailty and conditions such as dementia. This article explores what is known of ageing, spirituality, and life meaning for baby boomers. Constructs of self- transcendence, transformation, and meaning based on a model of spiritual tasks of ageing (MacKinlay, 2006) in the third and fourth age are explored. Related factors in forgiveness and gratitude and barriers to the development of self-transcendence are examined.