How Caregivers Can Use Socioemotional Selectivity Theory to Support Older Adults

As people age, the kinds of goals, relationships, and priorities that matter most often shift. Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST), developed by psychologist Laura Carstensen, explains these shifts. For caregivers, understanding SST can help improve emotional wellbeing, communication, care decisions, and overall quality of life for older adults.

What Is Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST)?

Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) explains how the goals and motivations of people change as they age due to the way they perceive time left in life. When time seems expansive, younger people tend to focus on acquiring knowledge, exploring new experiences, and expanding their social circles. In contrast, many older adults experience a shift in priorities. They value emotional satisfaction, meaningful relationships, and activities that provide a sense of belonging, purpose, and worth.

This shift is not simply about age but how older individuals perceive their time horizon, which typically feels shorter. As a result, they are more selective about who they spend time with and what activities they engage in, focusing on those that maximize positive emotional experiences

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How Caregivers Can Use SST in Practice

Understanding Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST) helps caregivers connect more deeply with older adults by aligning care practices with the emotional priorities that often become most important later in life.

Caregivers can begin by asking simple, open-ended questions:

"What kinds of interactions bring you joy?  What activities feel meaningful to you?" "What relationships would you like to deepen?" These conversations give insight into what older adults value most, such as emotional satisfaction, purpose, and close relationships. With this understanding, caregivers can design activities that reflect those priorities. That might mean encouraging volunteer work, creative projects, or everyday tasks that reinforce usefulness and connection.

Caregivers can also help arrange visits, scheduling phone or video calls, or facilitating shared activities that with people they want to connect or reconnect with. Even small efforts such as encouraging regular check-ins with loved ones or organizing family meals can foster a stronger sense of belonging and emotional wellbeing.

SST also offers guidance on how caregivers communicate. Research shows that older adults respond better to encouragement that emphasizes the benefits of healthy behavior rather than risks or negative consequences. For example, positive messaging about walking and exercise led to increased physical activity among older adults, while negative messaging did not have the same effect.

Instead of saying: “If you don’t walk, you could lose mobility,”  Try: “Walking keeps your legs strong so you can keep doing the things you love.” Instead of saying: “If you eat unhealthy foods, you’ll get sick,”  Try: “These foods support your heart and help you feel your best.” Instead of saying: “If you skip your pills, your condition will get worse,”  Try: “This medicine helps you stay in control of your health so you can do more of what matters most to you.” Instead of saying: “If you don’t sleep enough, you’ll feel terrible,”  Try: “Rest helps your body stay strong and your mood stay bright.” Using SST as a guide can foster a more compassionate, effective caregiving environment that honors the emotional needs and values of older adults.

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This article was made by  Elder Love USA.

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