Activity Theory

 Activity theory a theory which suggests that for individuals to enjoy old age and feel satisfied, they must

maintain activities and find a replacement for the statuses and associated roles they have left behind as they aged age stratification theory a theory which states that members of society are stratified by age, just as they are stratified by race, class, and gender ageism discrimination based on age baby Boomers people in the United States born between approximately 1946 and 1964 centenarians people 100 years old or older cohort a group of people who share a statistical or demographic trait continuity theory a theory which states that the elderly make specific choices to maintain consistency in

internal (personality structure, beliefs) and external structures (relationships), remaining active and involved throughout their elder years

dependency ratio the number of nonproductive citizens (young, disabled, elderly) to productive working citizens disengagement theory a theory which suggests that withdrawing from society and social relationships is a natural part of growing old elder abuse the act of a caretaker intentionally depriving an older person of care or harming the person in their charge exchange theory a theory which suggests that we experience an increased dependence as we age and must increasingly submit to the will of others, because we have fewer ways of compelling others to submit to us

filial piety deference and respect to one’s parents and ancestors in all things geriatrics a medical specialty focusing on the elderly gerontocracy a type of social structure wherein the power is held by a society’s oldest members gerontology a field of science that seeks to understand the process of aging and the challenges encountered