Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

According to aging theories, which intervention supports healthy aging for long-term care residents based on existing behavior patterns?

1. Identity continuity

2. Disengagement

3. Activity

4. Life review

The correct answer is: Identity continuity

The concept of identity continuity is rooted in the idea that individuals strive to maintain a consistent sense of self throughout their lives. For long-term care residents, supporting this sense of identity means encouraging them to engage in activities and routines that reflect their historical behaviors, preferences, values, and social connections. By recognizing and reinforcing their existing behavior patterns, caregivers can help these individuals feel more secure and satisfied in their environment, which positively impacts their overall well-being and promotes healthy aging. In contrast, other theories such as disengagement imply that it is normal for individuals to withdraw from social interactions as they age, which can inadvertently lead to loneliness and a lack of fulfilling engagement. The activity theory suggests that staying active and social leads to higher satisfaction in older age, but it may not accommodate residents whose existing behavior patterns lean towards less social interaction. Similarly, life review, while valuable for reflecting on past experiences, may not necessarily align with the goal of fostering a consistent identity in the present. Thus, identity continuity stands out as the most supportive intervention for healthy aging among long-term care residents based on their established behavior patterns.