Disengagement Theory

Activity theory of aging suggest that when elderly people interact with the community and include activities in their daily routine they are their happiest (Baird, 2011, p. 187). Ariel stated that “everyone need some form of release” (Lemmon, 1995).

During the aging process, the elderly may take different approaches to aging and may apply to different theories of aging such as the disengagement theory and the activity theory. All elderly individuals will deal with aging in different ways, they may wish to stay active or they may wish to disengage themselves due to depression or they may be unable to deal with the processes of becoming older. Both of these theories of aging have completely different thoughts and views of the aging process.

This week’s discussion included reading about theories of aging and watching the documentary titled Backing Out of Time. In the following discussion I will compare and contrast two theories of aging as it relates to the role of caregiver, one thing I learned that I did not know previously, and what one piece of information will most likely affect my nursing practice. The two theories I have chosen to compare and contrast are the Disengagement Theory and the Continuity Theory. The Disengagement Theory is based on the premise that older people will inevitably decline with age, become less active with the outer world and become engrossed with their inner lives.

Aging is described as a sequential, irreversible, progressive, and non-pathological process of maturation in an organism and that translates to a gradual decline in the ability to perform activities optimally. Aging is an individual process that can be a period of stress for individuals especially following their retirement (Hiller & Barrow, 2015). The current study sought to understand the process and experience of aging from the perspective of elderly individuals. In discussing matters of aging and retirement, many assume that women are always eager to retire, and adjust well, as compared to their male counterparts (Bauger & Bongaardt, 2016). Many people assume that since women are generally made as homemakers, they are willing and happy to retire while men, whose nature is to be the main source of family income, find it hard to be out of work (Moody & Sasser, 2014). Indeed, there exists very little literature that sheds some light on this area, particularly on the attitudes of each gender towards retirement and process of aging. Given the significance of retirement to this life stage, the study sought to understand the emotions and views of individuals regarding their retirement through the lenses of (1) Physical health and wellbeing, (2) Friends, Family, and Community, (3) Work and leisure, (4) Finances and lifestyles, and (5) Living

In the second part of the assessment I will be discussing two major theories of ageing in relation to the development of the individual. For connie disengagement theory will affect her PIES and well being negatively. Physically disengagement theory will make her bones and muscles deform because she is housebound she can't go out for exercise or for a walk. She won’t be fit to carry out some activities herself. She will become unfit and could also lead to other health related issues.

Two different types of theories of ageing; Disengagement Theory and Activity Theory. Robert J. Havighurst being the main substance of ageing. Disengagement theory- Theorists of Cumming and Henry;. This theory has the outlook that as you get older, you tend to distance ourselves from others and start to have your own life and disengagement on the world.

Late Adulthood is a time in people’s lives when they come to terms with their lives and reevaluate what they have done or accomplished in the lieu of what they still would like to accomplish for the remainder of their lives. During this stage of life adults around the ages of 65 begin to experience a variety of changes in their physical appearance and a decline in their health. The process of aging in an individual occurs at different speeds and during this stage older adults are being treated as second-class citizens especially by younger adults. The skin begins to wrinkle at an

Social disengagement theory is a classic social-psychological view which holds that older adults’ isolation results from a gradual and irreversible abandonment of social roles, narrowing role sets, and the weakening of existing social bonds. This point of view is now often contrasted with Activity and Continuity theories which note that older adults who adjust to later-life transitions by remaining socially active are happier and healthier. This is an exciting transition as policies and programs begin to incorporate the idea of social connectedness, rather than merely occupying the time of older adults. Leisure

As adults enter the stage of later adulthood, many changes will begin to develop for each person. The aging process includes transitioning from work life to retirement, changes to roles, social positions, social policies, determining living accommodations with healthcare needs, and relationships with families and peers. The stage known as the golden years comes with great challenges while adjusting to the many changes in a person’s life. (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Transition from work to retirement

There are two theories of ageing. The disengagement theory is when the elderly unfortunately start to give up with activities or social life. They become withdrawn from society. This is when you disengage from any way of contact or interaction. The reason for disengagement theory may be because physical functions deteriorate. There are three phases of disengagement theory. These are shrinkage of life space is when you are not working or have no contact with friends and family. You don’t get to meet new people. You decide not to take up any hobbies or activities. The second phase is increased individuality. This is when you become independent and what others do does not matter to you. The third phase is acceptance. You start to accept

The elderly experience many changes in marriage, family, and peer relations (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman,  2010). Generally retirees who are married have been in their marriages for many years. These couples have a routine that they are used to and have followed for many years. There are unsaid rules of who handles the finances and who handles family responsibilities, such as taking care of the home. Retirement may disrupt these roles and routines and change everything about them. Medical issues can also take a toll on a marriage (Dale, Smith, & Norlin,  2009). If one spouse becomes ill or debilitated in any way, the healthy spouse may become angry, depressed, and frustrated with taking care of all of the responsibilities. If a spouse dies it can be very difficult for the living spouse to deal with (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman,  2010). Retirees who are not married also face new problems when faced with retirement. This group of people must learn to live on a fixed income. Peer relationships change because older people tend to reduce their number of contracts with the world and tend to be less active and withdraw from their social surroundings (Dale, Smith, & Norlin,  2009). This is called disengagement. This is a very difficult task, and only a few people can adjust with it smoothly. Those who were more active in social activities in their earlier lives, find it most difficult. Older people also

Social aging is referring to the changes in individual’s roles and relationship in the society as they age. There are many different theories concerning sociological aging. Social theories on aging examine the relationship between individual experiences and social institutions e.g., aging and retirement; aging and institutional care; aging and government policy etc (Barkan 2012). All have limitations, and some can be considered more than others when attempting to understand social changes in aging. Also individuals move through life surrounded by social support system. Some theories of aging such as, role theory, activity theory, modernization, etc. consist of different ways older adults transition through life such as, networks of relatives, friends, and organization that help provide emotional support and help in managing activities in daily living.

As defined by Crossman (Disengagement Theory n.d.) “Disengagement theory states that in every society, the elderly undergo a process of adjustment in which they leave important public roles and narrow their social world to family and friends”. Thus, the

This theory of ageing was created by two social scientists called, Elaine Cumming and William Earle Henry. They link ageing with the social system, and give basic steps that outline the process of disengagement as an individual ages. The disengagement theory is based on the withdrawal from social life that the elderly experience as they age. This means that as time goes on, the elderly start to separate from social activities which were important and central to their life in their adulthood.

Aging and being old was dominated by negative characteristics and conditions such as illness, depression, and isolation for a long time (Eibach, Mock, & Courtney, 2010). At first glance the terms “success” and “aging” seem to be in conflict to each other. When asking people about aging, their answers have many facets that are also found in psychological definitions: successful aging is seen as health, maturity and personal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generativity, coping, and acceptance of age-related limitations. In the psychological sense successful aging is also often seen as the absence of age-associated characteristics (Strawbridge, Wallhagen, & Cohen, 2002). It seems that successful aging means is not aging.