The Disengagement Theory is a set of theory that suggested that as social beings get older, they prepare for their end-of-life by actively disengaging from their society. Johnson & Mulcher (2013 in their review described this theory as "a systematic way of understanding the social withdrawal accompanying age-related personal declines" but they also noted the theory's main weaknesses which were that it was not supported by evidence and did not into account individual elderly' behavioural variability .   This social theory arose during the 60s where there were far more younger people than older people. It is now debunked and not seen as a credible theory.

The Continuation Theory looks at how elderly who manage to continue to play their social roles or find ways to re-construct their social roles to adapt to their changing social status may experience a healthier psychology than those who could not (Atchley, 1989). This theory is linked to the Activity Theory because a continuation of social roles would meant that the elders would have a more activity filled life. Social Inclusion (being a part of society) is therefore seen as a basic human rights that should be accorded to the older individuals in the society.