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The creation of age-friendly environments is especially important to frail older people
- Authors:
- CRAMM Jane M., DIJK Hanna M. van, NIEBOER Anna P.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(4), 2018, pp.700-720.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The preference of older people when it comes to ageing in place may be modified by levels of frailty. The aim of this research is to characterise the relationship between frailty and ageing in place, and to identify differences in neighbourhood characteristics supporting ageing in place missed by frail and non-frail older people. A concurrent nested mixed-methods approach was used. For quantitative evaluation, a sample of 945 independently living older adults residing in four districts of Rotterdam were asked to complete a questionnaire in 2013 (response rate = 62%; N = 558). In addition, 32 interviews were conducted with frail and non-frail older people. Results showed that gender, age and especially frailty were related to missed neighbourhood characteristics. People displayed awareness of their increasing frailty and often acknowledged that it increased the need for neighbourhood characteristics enabling them to age in place. The authors conclude that dependence on neighbourhoods varies with frailty status. This relationship is dynamic; with frailty, older people become more dependent on their neighbourhood. However, expectations regarding neighbourhood characteristics seem to dissipate with advanced age and increasing frailty. (Publisher abstract)
The importance of neighborhood social cohesion and social capital for the well being of older adults in the community
- Authors:
- CRAMM Jane M., DIJK Hanna M. van, NIEBOER Anna P.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 53(1), 2013, pp.142-152.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This cross-sectional study investigates whether social capital (obtaining support through indirect ties such as from neighbours) and social cohesion (interdependencies among neighbours) within neighborhoods positively affect the well being of older adults. The study included 945 of 1,440 (66% response rate) independently living older adults (aged ≥70 years) in Rotterdam. A hierarchical random effects model was used to account for the hierarchical structure of the study design: 945 older adults (Level 1) nested in 72 neighborhoods (Level 2). Univariate analyses showed that being born in the Netherlands, house ownership, education, income, social capital of individuals, neighbourhood security, neighbourhood services, neighbourhood social capital, and neighbourhood social cohesion were significantly related to the well being of older adults. Multilevel analyses showed that social capital of individuals, neighbourhood services, neighbourhood social capital, and neighbourhood social cohesion predicted the well being of older adults. Single and poor older adults reported lower well being than did better off and married older adults. However, the effects of marital status and income were mediated by neighborhood services, social capital, and social cohesion. Neighbourhood services, social capital, and social cohesion may act as buffer against the adverse effects of being single and poor on the well being of older adults. The results support the importance of social capital of individuals, as well as social capital within the neighbourhood and social cohesion within the neighbourhood for well being of older adults. The well being of older adults may also be enhanced through the improvement of quality of neighborhood services. (Edited publisher abstract)
The experiences of neighbour, volunteer and professional support-givers in supporting community dwelling older people
- Authors:
- DIJK Hanna M. van, CRAMM Jane M., NEIBOER Anna P.
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 21(2), 2013, pp.150-158.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of informal support networks in promoting active and healthy aging and public policy is increasingly focusing on its value. However, there is a lack of evidence about what types of support neighbours provide to older people and how neighbours collaborate with formal support-givers. This study explored types of informal neighbour support and the experiences of neighbours, volunteers and professionals providing the support. Nine Dutch neighbour support-givers, five volunteers and 12 professionals were interviewed and their responses subjected to latent content analysis. The findings reveal that commitment occurred naturally among neighbours; along with providing instrumental and emotional support, neighbour support seemed to be a matter of carefully ‘watching over each other’. However, neighbour support-givers are often frail themselves, become overburdened and lack support from professionals. The authors conclude that neighbour, volunteer and professional support-givers seem to operate in distinct, non-collaborative spheres. They suggest that professionals should identify more closely with the local neighbourhood and aim to take a more cooperative and facilitating role to strengthen and medicate neighbour and volunteer support.