Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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The links between social connections and wellbeing in later life
- Authors:
- SCRUTTON Jonathan, CREIGHTON Helen, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- University College London
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, the first in a two part series summarising UCL research and exploring the policy implications of the work, focuses on social relationships and subjective wellbeing. It highlights that the loneliest and most socially isolated individuals have consistently lower levels of subjective wellbeing than older people who are more socially connected. Both the size of an individual's social network and their frequency of contact with that network are positively associated with wellbeing over 6 years of follow up. While older people begin to see a rise in their wellbeing in later life, those who are socially isolated do not. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how a rapidly ageing population could potentially lead to greater numbers of lonely and socially isolated older people if nothing is done to address this issue. It then explores the policy implications of the research, showing that while social isolation and loneliness among older people have been rising up the policy agenda in recent years, the true extent of the loneliness problem is not currently fully known as the government only measures loneliness among those in care or caring for others. (Edited publisher abstract)
The emotional wellbeing of older carers
- Authors:
- SCRUTTON Jonathan, CREIGHTON Helen, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- University College London
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, the second in a two part series summarising research from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London (UCL), focuses on the subjective wellbeing of older carers. The research finds that: long term caregiving was associated with declines in quality of life and life satisfaction for carers, and an increased risk of depression; and giving up caregiving was associated with increased depression amongst both male and female carers. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how the ageing population could potentially lead to large increases in the number of older carers, with the number of carers over 65 already having risen by 35 per cent since 2001. It also highlights the day-to-day realities faced by many older carers, including a high risk of emotional distress; the loss of friends, either because of a lack of time to socialise or because friends were unable to properly understand the constraints and strains of caring; and potential health risks. The report explores the policy implications of the research, highlighting that few policies and support services are aimed at older carers specifically. The report suggests that more could be done to protect the emotional wellbeing and mental health of older carers, through appropriate support being provided at all stages of the caregiving cycle. (Edited publisher abstract)