Our Aging Population: Florida’s Next Senior Living Boom
My research paper will study the expectation of the next senior population boom in Florida and if the state has plans in place already for handling the housing needs and the availability of resources for the long-term care of this cohort. The disciplines that I am using in my research are Social Work/Gerontology and Sociology.
While there are many theories within the Social Work/Gerontology discipline that is relevant to this topic, the one theory that seems to be most relevant is Activity Theory. Activity Theory argues that older people benefit the society, as well as themselves, when they continue to be active as they age. The theory argues that a senior’s positive perception of the aging process is crucial to their remaining active and invigorating their minds and bodies. Aging is …show more content…
Theorist Robert J Havighurst claims that staying mentally and physically active will increase happiness among older adults. He argues that instead of an elderly person disengaging from their community, they should remain active and social. These active lifestyles allow aging populations to socialize with others, which increases feelings of self-worth and pleasure that are both important for life longevity. When developing plans for housing, resources and long-term care of the senior population, one must also take into consideration the criticisms for this theory insofar as the ability of the elderly to maintain their level of activity might be too optimistic and that while some elders can remain active, others cannot. Another criticism is that some elders are less able to remain active because of their poverty, gender, and social class, as these and other structural conditions may adversely affect their physical and mental health. Activity theory overlooks these
My research paper will study the expectation of the next senior population boom in Florida and if the state has plans in place already for handling the housing needs and the availability of resources for the long-term care of this cohort. The disciplines that I am using in my research are Social Work/Gerontology and Sociology.
While there are many theories within the Social Work/Gerontology discipline that is relevant to this topic, the one theory that seems to be most relevant is Activity Theory. Activity Theory argues that older people benefit the society, as well as themselves, when they continue to be active as they age. The theory argues that a senior’s positive perception of the aging process is crucial to their remaining active and invigorating their minds and bodies. Aging is …show more content…
Theorist Robert J Havighurst claims that staying mentally and physically active will increase happiness among older adults. He argues that instead of an elderly person disengaging from their community, they should remain active and social. These active lifestyles allow aging populations to socialize with others, which increases feelings of self-worth and pleasure that are both important for life longevity. When developing plans for housing, resources and long-term care of the senior population, one must also take into consideration the criticisms for this theory insofar as the ability of the elderly to maintain their level of activity might be too optimistic and that while some elders can remain active, others cannot. Another criticism is that some elders are less able to remain active because of their poverty, gender, and social class, as these and other structural conditions may adversely affect their physical and mental health. Activity theory overlooks these