Unit 4 Edexcel Btec Level 3 Subsidary Diploma
P4 Explain two theories of aging
Disengagement Theory
This is the first formal theory of aging and it was brought forward by Elaine Cumming and William Henry in 1961, and they looked at how society views older people. During their research they found that older people disengaged from society. They argue that older personnel withdraw from society, for example they stop working/retirement, they stop socialising, they feel that they are no longer needed by wider society, for example they younger generation, the wider society does not include family and friends, and that age is a number that represents what we can and cannot do. On reflection we can see that this view is flawed because it is very dated and does not show a true picture of today’s society and views. Also this view is the total opposite of the newer activity theory.
M2
Agnes is clearly part of disengagement theory because of the lifestyle she leads. She is a widow meaning that she has lost her lifelong partner and has retracted from society meaning she isn’t talking to people and staying active. She has no social life meaning that she has stopped socialising following the disengagement theory. She has also past retirement age so she isn’t staying active at work and keeping her brain mentally healthy so she is more likely to become depressed as she has retreated back into her own world.
Activity Theory
Robert Havighurst shuns disengagement theory and states that we fight shrinking into our own little world. He believes that a person who manages to remain optimistic and stay active in their old age won’t retract from society for example they will remain in employment longer. He also stated that people choose what they want to do, for example regardless of age they might choose to go skydiving because they are active enough to do so. Research has shown that, if we remain active in our old age we are more likely to be mentally healthier and are less likely to suffer from depression, for example older
Disengagement Theory
This is the first formal theory of aging and it was brought forward by Elaine Cumming and William Henry in 1961, and they looked at how society views older people. During their research they found that older people disengaged from society. They argue that older personnel withdraw from society, for example they stop working/retirement, they stop socialising, they feel that they are no longer needed by wider society, for example they younger generation, the wider society does not include family and friends, and that age is a number that represents what we can and cannot do. On reflection we can see that this view is flawed because it is very dated and does not show a true picture of today’s society and views. Also this view is the total opposite of the newer activity theory.
M2
Agnes is clearly part of disengagement theory because of the lifestyle she leads. She is a widow meaning that she has lost her lifelong partner and has retracted from society meaning she isn’t talking to people and staying active. She has no social life meaning that she has stopped socialising following the disengagement theory. She has also past retirement age so she isn’t staying active at work and keeping her brain mentally healthy so she is more likely to become depressed as she has retreated back into her own world.
Activity Theory
Robert Havighurst shuns disengagement theory and states that we fight shrinking into our own little world. He believes that a person who manages to remain optimistic and stay active in their old age won’t retract from society for example they will remain in employment longer. He also stated that people choose what they want to do, for example regardless of age they might choose to go skydiving because they are active enough to do so. Research has shown that, if we remain active in our old age we are more likely to be mentally healthier and are less likely to suffer from depression, for example older
References: How Does The Aging Process Affect The Respiratory System? Betsy Basaul-Olson Accessed on URL:http://www.mademan.com/mm/how-does-aging-process-affect-respiratory-system.html#ixzz2MroGmIv9 07/03/2013 Britain’s ageing population accessed on URL: http://www.21stcenturychallenges.org/focus/britains-greying-population / 26/03/2013 Stretch, B Whitehouse, B (2010) ‘health and social care level 3: book 1’ Essex. Pearson Educational Limited. Word count: 2,458