Sociological Assessment of a Delany Sister

Older adults are very distinctive with their own vulnerabilities, strengths and needs. The functional age is a collaboration of biological and sociological aspects on an individual. There should be a basis on how to distinguish the old and young people in the society (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman p. 588). We should be aware of the stereotypes and realities of aging so as to become dependable in our later lives. We should present opportunities to older people and assist them in their own efforts to enjoy fully the remaining days of their life.

Social disengagement theory states that old individuals withdraw naturally from their social relationships and responsibilities (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman p. 590).  This is informed by the fact that they have lesser energy to engage particular activities.  The theory states further that it is good for society and old adults to withdraw from each other. The social disengagement therefore, becomes a societal symptom to old people rather than their own wish (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman p. 598). The society urges old people to retire when they still have energy to work. This burdens the old individuals when they are at their advanced age becoming difficult to afford the essentials like housing, drugs, telephone calls and clothing, which makes them to be vulnerable in society. They also receive elderly abuse from the younger generation (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman 2010 p. 616). Financial constrains become significant that most of them live in poverty.  Therefore, older age is a continuation of providing an individual’s needs with diminished results

Sadie Delany never experienced the social disengagement because she took with her sister in their Mount Vernon home and continued taking care of Bessie the role she had taken as the elder sister.  She said “I [Sadie] cannot remember life without her” (Sarah 1993, p. 4). Sadie always did everything on her own behalf from shopping, banking, cooking and cleaning the house (Sarah 1993 p4). Sadie though lived a life with the societal symptoms as she never wanted a telephone in their home to connect with the society.  She also never liked going to the hospitals as she always had the stereotype on how doctors viewed their ill health (Sarah 1993 p.5). She always welcomed people warmly at their home with the well natured behavior she grew up by her side. The pension money she used to receive made her feel connected to the society despite her the age.  This made her live an old comfortable life, which was never characterized by old age poverty (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010 p. 658). 

Sadie lived a single life characterized with lack of openness to the society despite the fact that it may have caused loneliness in her life. In addition, she never minded other people’s life, which was good since the comments from other people regarding her health status could have stigmatized her. Sadie had her own home and leaved alone. She lived many years, but still she had the energy to take care of her sister and do the household chores without much tiring. The Delany sister lived a life of enjoyment during the old age. She had good savings unlike most old people who languish in poverty when they retire. Old age poverty arises from the fact that most people spend the income they earn at their youth stage, which Sadie avoided.