Key terms

activity theory – теория деятельности

disengagement theory – теория ухода (освобождения)

eldercare – забота о старших

general society – общественность

generational equity – право справедливости для всех поколений

health care – медико-санитарная помощь

high poverty rates – высокий уровень бедности

prejudice – предубеждение, предрассудок, вред, ущерб

role continuity – преемственность ролей

social breakdown-reconstruction theory – социальная теория распада – восстановления

Social Security system – (ам.) система социального страхования

Three social theories of aging have been proposed. Disengagement theory claims that as individuals age they are more likely to withdraw from society, and society is more likely to withdraw from them.

Evidence suggests that disengagement theory is in error and that activity theory may be more viable.

Social breakdown-reconstruction theory claims that a society's attitudes toward its elderly determine the aging process. Both activity theory and the social breakdown-reconstruction theory assume that older adults are far more capable than was previously believed by the general society.

Ageism, a prejudice against older adults, continues to concern older adults who may lose their jobs or be denied services and/or products because of their age.

The major policy issues of concern to older adults revolve around the economy, the viability of the Social Security system, health care, eldercare, and generational equity. Older adults are concerned that their increasing numbers will make it difficult for younger generations to keep up with their needs. However, the Social Security system is strong, and many older adults have planned well for their retirements.

Older adults who are widowed or single have especially high poverty rates, and consequently may suffer from inadequate health care, poor housing, and limited social networks.

Gender roles change some with increasing age. Men become more feminine and show more sensitivity. Contrary to initial beliefs, women do not become more masculine. Aggressive and dominant tendencies in women do not increase with increasing age.

Status of the elderly in a society is based on seven factors: (a) their valuable knowledge, (b) their control of family/community resources, (c) allowing older persons to engage in useful functions, (d) role continuity, (e) age-related role changes that involve greater responsibility, (f) integration in an extended family, and (g) a collectivistic rather than an individualistic cultural orientation.

The time from retirement until death is sometimes referred to as the final stage in the marriage process. Retirement alters a couple's life-style, requiring adaptation. Older adults who are married appear to be happier; however, those who have remained single their whole lives have less difficulty with feelings of loneliness. Friendship continues to remain important in late adulthood.

Older adults may become grandparents for the first time or continue in a grandparenting role that started in middle adulthood. Grandparenting may provide a source of biological reward and emotional self-fulfillment, or be experienced much more remotely. Grandparenting roles vary across cultural groups.

Personality development continues in the late adulthood period and recent theorists have emphasized its constructive and adaptive nature.

Life satisfaction refers to psychological well-being in general. Income, health, an active life-style, and a network of family and friends are associated with older adults' life satisfaction in predictable ways. Older adults often have more optimistic perception of later-life development than middle-aged adults.

Successful aging occurs when older adults enjoy proper diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and good social relationships.