How does continuity theory explain how older adults respond to changing health and life circumstances?

Continuity theory posits that as individuals enter old age, they strive to preserve and maintain their established internal and external characteristics—such as their values, personality, preferences, and behavior patterns—throughout their lives.1

Rather than viewing aging as a period of total transformation, this theory suggests that older adults respond to changing health or life circumstances by attempting to maintain a sense of consistency with their past. By relying on these familiar internal structures, individuals can navigate the challenges of aging while keeping their self-concept and lifestyle as stable as possible. This approach emphasizes that adulthood and old age are not merely periods of discontinuity, but are continuations of an individual's past experiences, even as they adapt to new phases of life.12