ageism

Aging occurs at the biological, psychological and social levels. With numerous theories of aging spanning over many disciplines, no one is truly certain why we age or how we cope with it. Fortunately, our knowledge of how the body regulates or governs the rate of aging is slowly being demystifyied and we now know more about this process. Activity and disengagement are two major psychosocial theories which describe how people develop in old age.

Also known as the implicit theory of aging, the activity theory states that staying active and maintaining social interactions results in successful aging. Essentially, aging can be delayed and the quality of life improved if people maintain active social lives. In other words, there is a positive correlation between keeping active and aging well. Supporters of this theory believe that isolating oneself from society creates a barrier between the “real” world and suppresses one’s energy and former youth. First developed by Robert J. Havighurst in 1961, this theory reflects the functionalist perspective that the equilibrium that an individual develops in middle age should be maintained in later years. The theory predicts that older adults that face role loss will substitute former roles with other alternatives.

For example, an elderly couple dancing is an illustration of the activity theory where old people are participating in activities and relationships. Individuals who lead active lives as young and middle adults will probably remain active as older adults. They may take trips to new places, play golf, solve puzzles, or read books. Essentially, they move forward in their life as if they were still young. They almost forget that they are old and seek to discover more things in ...

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...ligible for benefits like Disability Living Allowance are just some of the many other examples of ageism. Luckily the Equality Act of 2010 protects the old from ageism in employment, training, education, and associations.

To date, researchers have not found a single theory that covers all people. Growing old can mean different things for different people. However, a common trend between all elderly people is that individuals who had active lives as young adults generally remain active as older adults, while individuals who were distant in their young lives become more disengaged as they age. In both theories, the old commonly conduct a person life review where he or she may reminisce for houses on end, muse over photo albums, or visit childhood places. They seek to share their life’s experience with another and try to find purpose and meaning within their lives.