Introduction. Creativity is a source of vitality. With the increasing number of older people in society, creativity is increasingly seen as an important component of the aging process. Creativity contributes to the mental and physical health of the elderly, strengthens self-confidence, and increases self-esteem. With universal recognition of the value of creativity, there is still no single operational definition of it. Elderly people's understanding of the meaning of this definition is of scientific interest. The purpose of the article is to present the results of a study aimed at studying the understanding of the definition of creativity by older people.

Materials and methods. The study involved elderly people selected randomly (N = 88), 35 of them men (M = 70.2; SD = 7.63). The main research methods are the analysis of the literature on the research problem, interviews with the subjects.

Results. The majority of older respondents (71.4 %) understand creativity as an activity. Among other answers: abilities and non-standard thinking (7.1 %); achievement of a goal (7.1 %); self-expression (5.7 %); realization of a dream or one's capabilities (4.2 %); embodiment of an idea (4.2%). Among the features of creativity, elderly respondents identified novelty, usefulness, activity, a state of interest and enthusiasm.

Discussion. The assumption put forward that elderly people “from the crowd” may have their own understanding of the definition of creativity has been confirmed. Although 20.5 % of the subjects could not explain how they understand what creativity is, most of the subjects managed to convey the essence of this construct and its various aspects.

Conclusion. Most of the elderly understand creativity as an activity. In general, older respondents' understanding of the definition of creativity is consistent with its scientific definitions.

Most of the elderly understand creativity as an activity;

Among the features of creativity, elderly people identified novelty, usefulness, activity, a state of interest and enthusiasm;

In general, the understanding of the definition of creativity by older people does not contradict the scientific definitions of this construct. 

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