Old Age

Although relative to earlier stages of development, older adulthood typically is defined more by transitions out of societally prescribed roles; it also presents opportunities for new roles with respect to new jobs, volunteer work, or community engagement after retirement as well as grandparenthood, or even great-grandparenthood given the increasing life expectancy. Older adults grapple with the consequences associated with the onset of retirement and thus leaving the occupational roles that once guided daily activities. During older adulthood, individuals also face changes in social roles, as a result of the increased mortality risk for social partners of the same age, and the potential for older adults to transition into new environments (e.g., moving into a new community). These role transitions provide a valuable foundation for the ...