ABSTRACT
The model of ageing, the socio-environmental, examines the extent to which resources and expectations match. However, it is possible to have the resources to meet the expectations of others but remain dissatisfied with one’s life. At The Pines, staff, residents and outsiders predominantly believed in keeping active, in finding things to do. However, only a few believed that there were worthwhile tasks for the very old to perform. The Pines fitted mostly into the ‘activity’ column of the grid, with the dominant cell being that of the therapeutic unit, while the nursing home and retirement community had equal influence. At the same time the preparedness to do things for residents and the occasional acknowledgement that residents responded to ageing differently show the influence of disengagement and socio-environmental theories. Hotels enhance mastery in some respects (getting others to do tasks for one) while limiting mastery in others (being less free to be oneself, having to conform to set routines).
