The eminent psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, while suffering numerous hardships in his life as a prisoner of war in a Nazi work camp that included, being isolated from the rest of the world including his family. Along with the prospect of facing death at the hands of his captors, began to question the meaning of his existence and the meaning of life in general. Frankl eventually came to the conclusion that people derive meaning from their lives as either as a result of their suffering, their ability to love another, and their work (Frankl, 2011). A person's work helps them to define a sense of themselves. Moreover, can contribute to their feeling of usefulness, and helps to keep them active (Frankl, 2011; Shacklock, 2006; Waddell & Burton, 2006). These benefits occur at any age; therefore, by continuing to remain in the workforce elderly people can both produce benefits to their community and receive benefits beyond mere income from their employment. Conclusions based on empirical evidence by esteemed research centers such as the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Hebrew University and the Centre for Psychosocial Research, Cardiff University have stated that continued mental and the physical involvement by continuing to work in later life has numerous benefits. Including longer life expectancies for the elderly as well as benefits for society in general (Waddell & Burton, 2006). Moreover, life expectancies are longer now than ever before. There have been movements on both a national and on regional levels to investigate the benefits of encouraging elderly individuals to remain in the workforce past traditionally defined retirement ages of 65 years (Waddell & Burton, 2006). .
The projections for the rise in the elderly population of Little Whinging Queensland Australia predict that nearly 20% of the population will be over the age of 65 by the year 2030. This percentage may increase to 25% of the population by the year 2050.