To better understand the challenges of increasing resident engagement in senior living communities, it will help to shed light on different theories of the “normal” aging process. These are Activity Theory and Disengagement Theory, and an extension of Activity, Continuity Theory. Of course, Activity and Disengagement are relatively in opposition to one another. However, they laid the groundwork for later sociological, developmental, and psychological approaches to understanding aging.
Two Theories of Aging
Activity Theory maintains that remaining engaged in activities and social interactions has a favorable effect on aging. Activity promotes positive changes in older adults. A leading proponent of Activity Theory was Robert Havighurst and Ruth Albrecht. In their book, Older People, they wrote that staying engaged in activities, hobbies, volunteering, or taking on new interests would lead to greater life satisfaction. And it would foster better physical and mental health. In turn, these activities create a higher quality of life. And, with the changes that occur with advancing years, such as retirement and careers, or shifting parental responsibilities, staying active helps older adults to better adapt to these changes. Subsequent interest and research in Activity Theory has largely supported this model.
Disengagement Theory has been proposed that disconnecting and withdrawal from social systems is inevitable among older adults. This was proposed by Elaine Cumming and William Henry. Their book was titled Growing Old. They wrote in 1961 that aging is a process of mutual withdrawal or disengagement. It resulted in decreased interaction between the elderly person and his or her social network. In essence, disengagement theory states that it is natural and acceptable for older adults to withdraw from society. Inherent in this theory is that disengagement is not a negative process. Additionally, disengagement was seen as a benefit to society. Importantly, this framework describing the normal aging process has been strongly criticized. This is largely because it was seen as innate, universal, and one-directional.
A Modification of Activity Theory
Continuity Theory A third theory explaining the aging process is the Continuity Theory. This is related to and a slight modification of Activity Theory. This is more central to how an individual maintains a sense of self and identity as he or she gets older. The belief, proposed by George Maddox, is that older adults seek to maintain experiences and activities that are consistent with their previous roles. This allows for new activities that connect with past experiences, people, and environments. Further, the argument is made that continuity and optimal aging occur when the individual is able to participate in the same activities, keep the same roles, and in the same living settings as earlier in their lives. In line with this, older adults are continually adapting to new situations and guide their actions based on their past experience, self-view, and earlier roles.
More information is available on these sites: disengagement theory, activity theory, and continuity theory of aging.
This article is referenced in the Living to 100 Club’s publication, Better, Longer & Happier: A Guide to Aging with Purpose and Positivity