This perspective assumes older people who are active will be more satisfied and better adjusted than those who are less active. Disengagement theory views the reduction in social involvement as the consequence of a mutual process between the elderly person and society. It assumes that aging individuals experience inevitable decline in abilities and, as a result, want to be released from societal expectations. For example, as the older person retires and their children leave home, his or her social circle begins to shrink. The individual anticipates, adjusts to, and participates in this shrinking.
Retirement is a key life transition.
New patterns of involvement must be developed in the context of changing roles and lifestyles. Accommodating these changes can require considerable adjustment, particularly for those whose sense of identity has been closely associated with their occupation. Most people report feeling good about being retired, as long as they have financial security, health, and a supportive network of family and friends. Research consistently finds that older adults' life satisfaction is strongly correlated with the number and quality of their friendships. Having at least one very close friend or confidant provides a buffer against the losses that accompany old age.