Theoretical Perspectives of Aging
Sociologists have developed several different theories of aging. The below mentioned are the most important perspectives in relation to aging and aged population.
Disengagement theory
The genesis of the disengagement viewpoint is that older people themselves initiate the disengagement process. It does not take into consideration any societal processes and structures that restrict older people’s opportunities for engagement. Disengagement theory sees the older person’s withdrawal from society as part of the natural ageing process, and as part of the normal pattern of life. This theoretical perspective essentially sees old age as the time when people are preparing themselves for death. Ageing from this theoretical
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The elderly were taken as dependent and burden on others. The young generations are not giving respect, love and affection. Visibly; the elderly sociability, efficiency involvement in work and hobbies had already fallen down (Kamla-Raj, 2011)
In Egypt, Fadila (2016) conducted a study on the title Factors Affecting Adjustment to Retirement among Retirees’ Elderly Persons. He found that marital status, level of education, sex, type of job before retirement, job situation, and place of work influenced adjustment level of the retirees. Furthermore, in the study sufficient financial support, physical support, social support, empowerment, awareness about retirement and mental capacity building are related with better adjustment to retirement.
Even though the retirees have contributed a lot in all affairs for the country, their issues have been discussed in a very lesser ways. For instance, it is rare to find research studies conducted on the living conditions and general situations of the elderly in general and the retirees in particular. Only few researches are available on the elderly people throughout such longer history of
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Although Ethiopia is one of the founders and signatory to this UN convention, the exiting efforts are far below satisfactory even to fulfil the first principle that is participation which calls older persons to have access to food, shelter, clothing, water, health care, education, training, income generation opportunities and living in safe environments (Abdi, 2012)
An Anthropological Study of the Lives of the Elderly among the Amhara of Ensaro by Kifle (2002) explicated that the elderly had better value and status during Imperial regime than these days. Since the elderly had order over land and other properties, they had been accordingly respected and esteemed as vital members of the society. He revealed that due to the establishment of modern social organizations such as court lessen the importance of old people the for conflict resolution purposes through
The book explores the feeling and experience of one 's later years: when one feels both cut off from the past and out of step with the present; when the body starts to give up but the mind becomes more passionate than ever. The book offers a wide vision of the issues that we go throughout our lives: the struggle to achieve goodness; how to maintain individuality in a mass society; and how to emerge out of suffering, loss, and limitation and so on. The book is an important contribution to the literature of aging, and of living. Scott-Maxwell’s book is compelling.
The continuity, disengagement, and activity theory can be compared to one another. They can also be assessed individually to understand the pros and cons. The activity and continuity theory can be compared to one another as they both are established on the idea that the more active you are as you get older, the happier you will be. The disengagement theory is the complete opposite as it states that as you get older both the society and its people engage in a mutual separation.
Aging policy in America has caused on three domains of security for elders: economic security, health security, and functional security (Chernof, 2011). In the years to follow the crisis of the aging Americans, will need comprehensive intervention that will impact older Americans and what’s really in it for Elders. In devising a plan to ensure that the planners, government, private agencies, health care and service organizations are all devoted to providing and caring for the aging. Significant demographic changes in the history of the American people in this century.
The result shows that 46 or 92% of the elderlies wished that they had more respect to themselves. Forty or 80% of them said that they sometimes pity themselves while 34 or 68% of them perceived that they have little or sometimes nothing to help their family and friends. In addition, 33 or 66% of elderlies said that they are not happy with their accomplishments in life while 32 or 64% of them perceived that they do not have capabilities and good qualities that they can be proud of and shared that they find it difficult to accept the changes happening in themselves at the present moment. Moreover, 28 or 56% of the elderlies shared that they often think and wish that they are in other people’s condition while half of them (50%) think and feel that they are useless. Further, despite of the adversities experienced in later life, 32 or 64% of elderlies didn’t think that they
Social and psychological needs for the elderly are no different from people my age, the quest of normal aging is formalized by the activity theory which applies to this completing this assignment. When older people maintain activities they become less isolated and find substitutes for work, friends and family that has passed. Once older people are engage and obtain social networks, social approval, and high self-esteem this enhances their well-being.
That said, after reviewing the copious volume of information available on the impact of ageism throughout society, perhaps the most striking story I found relates to the dramatic toll ageism takes on the daily lives of older adults, and on their perceptions of aging. Studies by Dr. Becca Levy, director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division at the Yale School of Public Health, revealed that negative self-perceptions of aging result in poor health outcomes, hearing decline, poor memory performance, and shorter life spans. Conversely, Levy 's studies demonstrated that positive self-perceptions of aging can improve memory, thinking, and cognition, mood, self-confidence, overall functionality, and longevity. The case involving ageism in
The Activity Theory assumes that mental and social activity is the essence of life for people of all ages” (Hillier & Barrow, 2015, p.81). Adapting a positive attitude is associated with high levels of activity, and better adjustment in life (Hillier & Barrow, 2015). Correspondingly, those who do not develop a clear role in society will be socially excluded. With an active lifestyle comes a “positive self-image, social integration, life satisfaction, and successful aging” (Hillier & Barrow, 2015, p. 81). Some aging adults manage to maintain their conduct, personality, and relationships.
The process of aging in not an unfamiliar topic to society and is an inevitable phase of life. Since 2011, the number of older individuals are increasing annually particularly those from the baby boomer generation. The life expectancy has been increasing with people living longer thanks to modern medicine. These occurrences are proof that civilization is growing exponentially, however the process of aging also means that the older individuals are facing dilemmas such as decreased physical functions, financial instability from retirement, and abuse. Even older adults who are independent may face some limitations.
For my interview, the aging individual is a person I have known my whole life. Though she is not blood related, she is considered family, and an important person in my life. I chose her because I have seen her go through the aging process in a positive, and inspirational way. She has defied the norm that a woman needs a man in her life, yet she has lived her life without being in a single relationship. I have structured this interview to make it more like she is telling me her story.
Disengagement theory is a concept originally proposed by two social scientists, William Henry and Elaine Cumming in 1961 (Disengagement Theory, 2014) who were keen on studying the ageing process. According to their theory, the disengagement theory implies that in every society, the elderly undergo a process of adjustment in which they eventually leave important public roles and narrow their social world to family and friends. As people age, they tend to grow more fragile are prone to withdraw from the society. Their social circles shrink as they start to draw back and become less actively involved. This concept however, can be a mutual process as the society begins to be engage and include older people lesser which results in an evitable mutual
I enjoyed your discussion post because I can relate to the geriatric setting on a personal level. When my father was alive he resided in an independent living facility in Ohio and I live in Georgia. My father perception was he was independent, but in reality my sister managed all his finances and I handled all his medical concerns with his multitude of comorbidities. I made sure he signed consent forms with all his physicians, nurse and therapists that I was able to contact them by phone to obtain information on all his appointments, procedures and therapies. So, I was that family member that explained everything to my father in terminology he could understand before he consented.
(Transition: The elderly will never feel neglected if we can make the adjustments to care for them) III. There will be major problems if we do not take a good care of our elderly. A. They will feel lonely and the suicide rate will be increasing among them as they do not feel the sense of belonging, hence choosing to end their lives. B. There will also an increase in the rate of missing elderly in China and also the other countries.
In a retirement survey in 1994, 37 per cent of women aged 55-59 were still working in the workplace. Since the 19th century, general known that a life-cycle in which early adolescence coincides with a period of preparation for working life and followed by a longer period of employment. Generally, many adult people prefer to stay in paid employment if it were available. A report to the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training in 1993 estimated that they amounted to somewhere between 15 and 30 per cent of persons aged 60 and over (Ken, 1993). The individual in this age of retirement, they are facing two major challenges.
Living arrangements are very important in this development. Retirement, a main change that occurs during this period, is a step that involves living arrangement, change in life style, and possible change in social interaction. Teas and Benignton discuss this retirement stage when living arrangement change and many elders should cope with such change. The idea of retirement has been a recently new accepted life style during late adulthood due to the life expectancy increase and the rise of urban America (1982, pg. 21). Living arrangements do not necessary depict one’s well-being.
Yet unreasonably numerous individuals are not arrange for a post-retirement live life. Some neglect to spare and well plan, due to lack of self-control and financial education exposure. Generally as living longer means more opportunity to enjoy life, it likewise brings money related in risk. As in other point of view, more senior workers include experience and wisdom, they add to monetary development of nation, hence enhance their groups through volunteer occupations, and supervise to improve work group and firm profitability. Business, government and our social organizations must commend and support more senior workers, encourage their preparation and instructive interest, go up against age bias and also discrimination that improves the likelihood