In the early 1960s, he conducted research on the design of living spaces for older adults, including those with Alzheimer's disease.[2] His work influenced the services provided at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center and elder care practices in the United States.[2]
Lawton served as the editor-in-chief of The Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics and was a fellow of the American Psychological Association, where he also served as the president of its division focused on adult development and aging.[2] He was a founding editor of the journal Psychology and Aging.[1] Colleagues dedicated a book to him titled The Many Dimensions of Aging, which explores various aspects of his work.[3][4]
^Maddox, George L. (1 February 2001). "M. Powell Lawton: Honoring a Career and a Life". The Gerontologist. 41 (1): 129–130. doi:10.1093/geront/41.1.129.
^Tesch-Römer, Clemens (December 2002). "Legacy of a Multifaceted Gerontologist". Contemporary Psychology. 47 (6): 718–719. doi:10.1037/001284.