Unit 4 – Development through the life stages – P4 – M2 – D2
P4
The social disengagement theory of ageing is when an individual becomes withdrawn from life and begins to become less concerned with others and what they think of them. They have restricted opportunities as they don’t have as people are often retired when they reach the stage of becoming disengaged with people. This means they may have more time to do things but they don’t want to they would because they have disengaged from life. Due to retirement they have fewer social contacts because of this they will have less people to communicate which may make them feel isolated which is what led to disengaging from life. People which disengage have low self-esteem and poor physical fitness and may become depressed, by staying active it means the serotine levels in the body are high, so if people stop being active due to the disengagement theory it will mean the serotine levels in the body will drop which may lead to people feeling depressed. People begin to have more fixed habits which mean they have set ways of doing things, having fixed habits make it harder for people to do activities as they do not want to ruin a routine of doing things. People are often limited to being able to travel around more.
The activity theory of ageing is where everybody does slightly disengage however some older people do stuff to prevent completely disengage with life. In order to prevent it people often use stuff to make themselves look younger such as dying their hair, have surgery (Botox and facelifts), use products such as wrinkle cream to cover wrinkles in order to look younger. This is to improve their confidence as they got older so they look younger which may make them feel slightly younger in themselves which means they may stay more active and continue enjoying life. When people follow this theory they want to stay active and healthy in a physical and mental aspect of their life. To try and make the rest of their life worthwhile by staying active. They want to get out and try new things and feel good about themselves, by trying new things it means they will have new talents and may find something they really enjoy to do.
M2
My Grandmother has become much more disengaged with life since retirement and as she has got older. This is because she has fewer social contacts as she does not have work colleagues and as many friends. More of her friends have passed away which means her main social events are funerals and family occasions. My grandmother now stays at home much more and looks after her youngest grandchild, her main physical activity is taking her dog for daily walks but she doesn’t keep active apart from that. My grandmother doesn’t wear much make up anymore or dye hair which she used to regularly do; she isn’t as concerned about her appearance or what people think of her. She feels much more comfortable in her own home rather than in town or other places. She used to enjoy dressing up to go out for a meal however now she would rather cook dinner at home so she doesn’t have to dress up to go out. My grandmother definitely is following the social disengagement theory rather than the activity theory. The activity theory does not follow my grandmother’s behaviour at all. She doesn’t fit the activity theory as she hasn’t tried to stay physically and mentally healthy or try new things which she may enjoy. If she had made an effort to stay mentally and physically active she may be happier now rather than staying at home. My grandmother doesn’t have fixed habits but she can be very set in her ways with certain things. If my Grandmother had followed the activity theory she would have felt better about herself and have more confidence.
D2
There are different types of Health and Social Care provision such as living in own home with part support, sheltered housing/assisted living, residential home and nursing home. By living in your own home or assisted living it means somebody
