In our society, many people regard old age as a period of decline. Sheldon and Kasser (2001) note that some theorists have concluded that the concept of development may even be irrelevant in the context of old age. Do research findings support these pessimistic views of old age?

Old age is regarded by many as being a period of decline.  There is a perception that older people are bound to themselves and their past and can no longer change or grow (Belsky, 1990, p. 3).  Sheldon and Kasser (2001) note that some theorists have concluded that the concept of development may even be irrelevant in the context of old age.  Many of these conceptions may in fact be less often the effect of physical aging than an attitude that the aged are without value.  Older people are seen by many as being less competent, less intelligent and more physically frail than young adults (Belsky, 1990, p. 3).

Loss of function of some kind is no doubt a dominant theme across the life span.  However as Adams (1991, p. 323) found, within this life span perspective, development over the life course involves both a process of growth and decline….(short extract)