Maintaining Purpose and Wellbeing in Later Life: How Ikigai Supports Healthy Ageing at Home
As people grow older, conversations about health often focus on tablets, tests and diagnoses. Yet research from Japan’s long-lived communities suggests something just as powerful: a sense of purpose in life, known as ikigai.
For older adults, especially those wishing to remain at home, reconnecting with purpose can transform day-to-day life. At U&I Care, we combine the wisdom of ikigai with holistic support – physical, emotional and spiritual – to help elders age well, not just longer.
What Is Ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept often translated as “a reason for being” or “a reason to get up in the morning”. It does not have to be grand or world-changing. In fact, it is often found in small, meaningful routines – tending a garden, cooking for family, morning prayer, or teaching grandchildren a favourite recipe.
If you would like to read more about the idea, the Government of Japan offers a helpful overview of ikigai in everyday life here:
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Joyful Life.
There is also interesting work on ikigai and longevity in research on the
“Blue Zones” – regions where people live longer, healthier lives.
Studies suggest that having ikigai is linked to better wellbeing and may even be associated with longer life expectancy. Older adults who feel their life still has meaning tend to stay more active, maintain social ties and engage more fully with their care.
Why Purpose Matters So Much in Later Life
As roles shift – children grow up, work ends, health changes – many older adults quietly think, “What am I here for now?” Without something to look forward to, it is easier to slip into:
- Low mood or depression
- Social withdrawal and loneliness
- Reduced activity and mobility
- A sense of being “looked after” rather than truly living
Loneliness and loss of purpose can affect both mind and body, increasing risks of health problems. The NHS highlights that older people are particularly vulnerable to loneliness, which can have a serious impact on wellbeing:
NHS – Loneliness in older people.
Age UK also provides useful information on how loneliness affects later life and what can help:
Age UK – Loneliness in later life.
Purpose acts as a protective thread, tying together daily routines, social contact and self-care.
Ikigai at Home: Everyday Examples
Ikigai in later life might look like:
- Being the storyteller of the family – sharing memories, faith and traditions
- Caring for plants or a small garden, watching things grow
- Continuing a craft or skill – knitting, music, cooking regional dishes
- Guiding younger generations – helping grandchildren with studies, language, or cultural heritage
- Spiritual or religious practice, from daily prayers to reading sacred texts
In live-in care, these are not “extras” – they can become central goals in the care plan, just as important as medication or personal care.
How Holistic Live-In Care Can Support Ikigai
A holistic approach looks beyond tasks and time slots. At U&I Care, we ask:
“What gives this person a sense of meaning, belonging and joy – and how can we build care around that?”
This can include:
- Structuring the day so key purposeful activities happen when the person has most energy
- Encouraging small, achievable goals – watering the plants, folding laundry, calling a friend
- Supporting faith and spirituality – attending services online, observing religious festivals, preparing traditional foods
- Giving time and space for teaching and passing on knowledge – recipes, languages, family stories
Ikigai becomes the guiding theme; care tasks fit around it.
Ikigai, Movement and Health
Purpose and physical health reinforce one another. When elders feel needed and engaged, they are more likely to:
- Stay active within their abilities
- Take medication consistently
- Eat well and drink enough
- Take an interest in their surroundings
The NHS explains how regular physical activity in later life supports health, mobility and independence:
NHS – Physical activity guidelines for older adults.
Purpose (ikigai) gives older adults a reason to keep moving – whether that is walking to the local shop, doing gentle stretches so they can continue to cook, or maintaining strength to play with grandchildren.
Cultural Identity, Ikigai and South Asian Elders
For many South Asian elders, purpose is closely tied to:
- Family roles – being a respected elder
- Faith and spiritual practice
- Food and hospitality
- Language and cultural traditions
A culturally aligned carer can help maintain these roles – preparing familiar dishes, attending to prayer times, facilitating visits and community events, and conversing in the person’s preferred language. This helps protect identity, dignity and purpose in later life.
Bringing Ikigai Into Your Loved One’s Care Plan
If you are considering live-in care, you might start by asking:
- What used to make my loved one light up?
- What do they still talk about with pride?
- When do they feel most themselves – and with whom?
Share this with the care provider so their ikigai becomes a key focus of the support, not an afterthought.
Ready to Explore Purpose-Led Care at Home?
If you would like your loved one’s care to focus on more than just tasks – to truly honour their purpose, culture and identity – we would be happy to talk.
Find out how we can build ikigai into a personalised live-in care plan
U&I Care – Your home, your story, your purpose.
