Key Terms

• activity theory: Activity theory proposes that successful aging occurs when older adults stay active and maintain social interactions.
• Robert J. Havighurst: Robert James Havighurst (June 5, 1900 in De Pere, Wisconsin – January 31, 1991 in Richmond, Indiana) was a professor, physicist, educator, and aging expert.
• disengagement theory: The disengagement theory of aging states that “aging is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and others in the social system he belongs to.”

The activity theory of aging proposes that older adults are happiest when they stay active & maintain mạng xã hội interactions. Thes e activities, especially when meaningful, help the elderly phệ replace lost life roles after retirement &, therefore, resist the mạng xã hội pressures that limit an older person’s world. The theory assumes a positive relationship between activity và life satisfaction. Activity 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 .

The theory was developed by gerontologist, or, scholar of aging, Robert J. Havighurst in 1961, & was originally conceived as a response lớn the recently published disengagement theory of aging. The disengagement Model suggests that it is natural for the elderly bự disengage from society as they realize that they are ever nearer béo death. However, withdrawing from their central societal roles — working, marriage, raising a family — means they drastically chiến bại mạng xã hội life space & so suffer crisis và demoralization .
Havighurst’s activity theory is at deliberate odds with what some perceive as the pessimism of disengagement theory. However, critics of activity theory state that it overlooks inequalities in health & economics that hinders the ability for older people béo engage in such activities. Also, some older adults bởi not desire phệ engage in mới nhất challenges .
Five decades of gerontological research, however, suggest that the activity Model is more accurate than the disengagement Model. Not only is activity beneficial for the community, but it engages older adults ( both physically & mentally ) & allows them béo socialize with others. This increases feelings of self-worth và pleasure, which are important for happiness & longevity .

Oh Mary, Don’t You Weep: Participating in activities from which they used to derive pleasure in the past, such as singing, helps older people stay active and engaged.

Source: https://bacxiunong.com