week 7 discussion board reply

Social Reconstruction Theory provides access to social services that could be beneficial for a person in their later adulthood. Society often believes that a person that is in their late adulthood can not be as productive as  before, therefore older people tend to accept this label and often adapt to those behaviors and labels that are considered when becoming older. Because of these negative labels and how society (younger adults) view a person that is in their late adulthood, it can affect the persons mental health. The feeling of being labeled as not able to do things as before because the person is older, or how they have changed physically /mentally,  I can see how that can affect a persons mental health. There are 3 major recommendations in the Social Reconstruction Theory, society should let go of their unrealistic standards and expectations , provide social services that are needed ,  find creative ways for a older adult to have control over their lives. (Zastrow, C. pg. 685). Due to the unrealistic standards and expectations that younger adults might feel about later adulthood, there are people who tend to become more dependent and likely feel incompetent.  As a social worker, it is important to provide services that would be helpful to a person that is older and is seeking help.It is important that a social worker looks at the clients overall situation. Some would want to feel the senese of having independency, having access to programs that  would help the client feel that they are in control of their life is important. There are programs that will help with housing, medical care, access to transportation, and having homecare, could help an older adult feel that they are not dependent of others.  In the macro level, a social worker can petition in the their local or state communities for funds that would help the older community. 

Zastrow, C., Kirst-Ashman, K.K.,& Hessenauer, S.L. (2019). Understanding Human Behavior and Social Environment. Cengage.