what is positive aging and what are the key issues that can lead to positive aging the ppt covers basic concept, the theories and what can help positive aging

1. POSITIVE AGING…
ADITI PANDEY
17/PPSY/005

2. WHAT IS AGING ?

3. Definition
 Ageing is a progressive deterioration of physiological
function, an intrinsic age-related process of loss of
viability and increase in vulnerability. (Magalhaes JP de,
Integrative Genomics of Ageing group, 2001, 2004, 2005,
2008)
 Ageing is the process of becoming older, a process that is
genetically determined and environmentally modulated.
(Rogina et al, Dec. 2000, Science)

4. Study of Aging
Aging is a pattern of life changes that occurs as one
grows older.
• Gerontology is the study of individual and
collective aging processes.

5. Normal Aging
Who is old?
 Biological and psychological aging changes usually occur
gradually, over years or decades, and as a result, there is
no single age at which people in general can be said to be
old.
 Commonly people older than 65 are called ‘OLD’
 Gerontologists often draw finer chronological
demarcations:
• Young-old: <75
• Old-old: >75
• Oldest-old: >85

6. The Principles and Philosophy Behind
Positive Aging
 Jung who considered late life as a time to look inward.
 Erikson’s eighth stage called integrity versus despair. Successful aging
involves an “evaluation of one’s life as having been fulfilling and
satisfying” (Martin, et al., 2015)
 Neugarten who agreed with Jung’s perspective. Later, she agreed
with Reichard, Livson, and Peterson, that personality is important in
the study of successful aging.
 Havighurst’s focus was satisfaction and happiness as the basis for
defining successful aging. He believed aging is either active or
disengaging. Active means a person carries over activities and
attitudes from middle age into later life. Disengaged means the
person desires to remove him-herself from an active life. He’s
credited with coining the term “successful aging” (Zhou, et. al.,
2018).

7.  Reichard, Livson, and Petersen defined successful aging as “being
well-adjusted.” Their research, published in 1962, focused on 87 men
and personality traits. The researchers identified the following as
well-adjusted retirement types: the mature; the rocking chair; and,
the armored.
 Rowe and Kahn‘s three-factor model is the one many follow today.
Their focus is freedom from disease, remaining cognitively and
physically adept, and social engagement.
 Stowe and Cooney (2015), view successful aging from a life course
perspective. This approach looks at life as:
“a dynamic lifelong process, embedded in historical time and place,
and influenced by the web of relationships individuals are linked to, as
well as more distal social factors.”

8. THEORIES OF AGING

9. Disengagement Theory
 Elaine Cumming and William E. Henry developed the disengagement
theory. Their theory is that as we age we remove ourselves from social
roles and interactions. We do this because we realize death is
imminent. Rather than have our reputation damaged due to the loss
of skills, we retreat.
 Cumming and Henry’s theory includes 9 beliefs. They are:
1. Everyone expects death. Older adults accept that they’re losing
abilities as they age, so they begin to leave their networks.
2. Fewer contacts create behavioral freedoms.
This creates an “I can do whatever I want” approach to their behavior.
3. Men and women differ in their experience.Men have instrumental
roles. Women don’t.
4. The ego evolves as it ages.The older adult steps aside so the younger
person can take over in whatever role the elder leaves. The older person
seeks out personal enjoyment.

10. 5. Complete disengagement occurs when society is ready for it. Older adults
can’t transition unless society is ready to let them.
6. Disengagement can occur if people lose their roles. Roles are gender-specific.
Men do labor. Women handle domestic responsibilities. If they’re unable to fulfill
their role, then disengagement happens.
7. Readiness equates to societal permission. When an older adult begins
pondering their death, sense a loss of status, and lose “ego energy,” then society
allows disengagement.
8. Relational rewards become more diverse. Societal rewards tend to include
upward mobility. Disengagement creates horizontal rewards. People look to their
remaining interpersonal relationships to fill the vertical reward void.
9. This theory is independent of culture.It takes on the norms of the person’s
culture.
 The entire process is mutual and acceptable between the person and society.
A person’s usefulness determines when they disengage. A delay in
disengagement happens if society still deems the person useful.
 Cumming and Henry developed and published their theory in 1961. This
theory also assumes that a family consists of a male and a female adult. It
doesn’t consider same-gender or single parent families.

11. The Activity Theory
 The activity theory proposes that aging adults who engage in daily activities,
that they perceive as productive, age successfully. It takes into account the
value of social interactions in aging gracefully.
 Developed in 1961 by Robert Havighurst, it applies to anyone at any age.
People are happier when engaged in activities they enjoy. This fits well with
the Self-determination Theory of motivation.
 SDT highlights the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to
increase intrinsic motivation. Combining the two concepts it’s easy to see why
a person’s day-to-day happiness is greater.
 There are a few critiques of the Activity Theory (Health Research Funding,
n.d. ).
 First, it assumes equality. Not everyone has the same health status or
economic footing. Sometimes pursuing one’s favorite activity isn’t possible.
 Second, activities need to be meaningful to the person. Have you ever had a
teacher who assigned “busy work?” It’s usually boring and you feel like you’re
wasting time.

12. Continuity Theory
 Continuity theory explains person’s ability to maintain their habits,
preferences, lifestyle, and relationships as they age. It states that
people try to maintain continuity between who they were and who
they’re becoming. It’s like the concept of crystalized intelligence. A
person takes their knowledge from the past and applies it to future
changes.
 There are three levels of continuity. Think of it like Goldilocks and the
Three Bears. One is not enough, another is too much, but one is just
right. Continuity Theory is about balance.
 There also are two types of continuity: internal and external.
 Internal is about our personality traits while external is about our
environment.

13. The Life Course Perspective
 This theory takes into consideration your previous life experiences including your
family history. It’s a proactive, connected approach. It encompasses social, emotional,
and physical development throughout the life span.
 Developed by Glen H. Elder, Jr., this theory has five guiding principles. The following
list is from Elder:
 Life-span development: Human development and aging are lifelong processes.
 Agency: Individuals construct their own lives through the choices and actions they take
within the opportunities and constraints of history and social circumstance.
 Time and Place: The life course of individuals is embedded and shaped by the
historical times and places they experience over their lifetime.
 Timing: The developmental antecedents and consequences of life transitions, events,
and behavioral patterns vary according to their timing in a person’s life.
 Linked Lives: Lives are lived interdependently, and socio-historical influences are
expressed through this network of shared relationships.

14. How Does Attitude Impact Aging?
 The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) offers a plethora of
data. Its comprehensive research studies have garnered international
attention.
 In 2016, their researchers shared, You’re only as old as you feel! The
report highlights two important findings about attitude.
 Older adults with negative attitudes towards aging had slower walking
speed and worse cognitive abilities two years later, compared to older
adults with more positive attitudes towards aging.
 This was true even after participants’ medications, mood, their life
circumstances and other health changes that had occurred over the
same two-year period were accounted for. Their conclusion?
“Negative perceptions of aging may modify the association
between frailty and frontal cognitive domains in older adults.”
Robertson & Kenny, 2016

16. Positive Aging Week
 Positive Aging Week started in Ireland. It’s a worldwide event celebrating
aging. This year it happens September 30 – October 4, 2019. Last year events,
were organized worldwide by a variety of groups, included 550 that took
place in 25 countries last year.
 Events themes are:
 Monday – Grandparents Day/Intergenerational Day in Primary Schools;
 Tuesday – Assistive technology and supports for older people to maintain their
independence. Maybe SARs will be a part of one in 2019.
 Wednesday – Wellbeing focused on exercise and nutrition
 Thursday – Positive aging
 Friday – Fundraising for the National Day of Support for Age Action.

17. Thank you….