Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Isolated elderly people: reflections on policy
- Author:
- HARBERT Wally
- Journal article citation:
- Policy Studies, 16(2), Summer 1995, pp.4-21.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Late in 1993 the body of an elderly man living alone was found in a council flat in Brent, London. At the council's request an inquiry was carried out by Wally Harbert, a director of local social services for 20 years and currently director of planning and development at Help the Aged. His article goes beyond Brent and the particular death to reflect more widely on the needs of isolated elderly people and on the possible implications for policy.
'You're not really a visitor, you're just a friend': how older volunteers navigate home visiting
- Authors:
- LILBURN Lucy E.R., BREHENY Mary, POND Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(4), 2018, pp.817-838.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
At the intersection of increasing social support needs due to population ageing and the promotion of older age as a time of contribution and social connection, volunteering is an important focus with advantages for older people. One service that addresses both these imperatives is home visiting services. Home visiting services connect home visitors with isolated older people. To examine how older people navigate volunteering for a home visiting service, six visitors were interviewed and the interviews were analysed using discourse analysis. A professionalism discourse was used to construct home visiting as a structured social support service that improved the lives of isolated older people. A personal relationship discourse constructed home visiting as an opportunity to forge long-term relationships that benefit both parties. At times these two discourses created tension for home visitors. Examining how the home visiting service is described by the service organisation online explains these tensions. The online materials construct active older volunteers as providing professional services while those they visit are constructed as receiving friendship. These discourses provide different ageing identities for visitors from those they visit, which contributes to the difficulties in navigating home visiting services. Addressing these tensions will enable service co-ordinators to better meet the needs of both visitors and clients in the context of increasing need for such services. (Publisher abstract)
Vulnerable older people and action research: a consultant's tale
- Author:
- SLATER Phil
- Journal article citation:
- Care the Journal of Practice and Development, 7(2), May 1999, pp.27-37.
- Publisher:
- Pepar
The present article reports on a major piece of practitioner research into the needs of, and effective ways of working with, 'vulnerable' older people. The account is constructed from the particular vantage point of an external consultant to the project in question. In this way, the article attempts simultaneously to publicise the achievements of a particular piece of practitioner research, and to thematise the potential value of independent consultancy to such a project.
You're not alone: you're one in a million
- Author:
- WOODWORTH Renee S.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Welfare Journal, 75(5), September 1996, pp.619-635.
- Publisher:
- Child Welfare League of America
Many grandparents who find themselves rearing grandchildren believe that they are the only ones in this situation. They often feel isolated, frustrated, and angry; sometimes they feel ashamed. They are not alone, however. This article offers and understanding of the scope and circumstances of grandparents rearing grandchildren. Beyond the who, what, where, and why, the article addresses the major problems facing grandparent-headed families, avenues of assistance of them, and public policy considerations.
Meeting social needs and loneliness in a time of social distancing under COVID-19: a comparison among young, middle, and older adults
- Authors:
- TEATER Barbra, CHONODY Jill M., HANNAN Katrina
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 31(1-4), 2021, pp.43-59.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Loneliness has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people. The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded individuals to socially distance, which has implications for loneliness and social isolation. This cross-sectional study explored the ways in which people in the United States (N = 412) are meeting their social needs in a time of social distancing, how these activities relate to levels of loneliness, and any differences among young, middle-aged, and older adults. Results indicated higher levels of loneliness and social isolation for the entire sample and across the three age groups from pre- to during COVID-19 with younger adults experiencing higher levels of emotional loneliness during COVID-19. The extent to which the activities were related to loneliness was only found among the young adults and older adults where outdoor meet-ups, talking on the phone, and texting was associated with lower levels of loneliness among the young adults, and engaging in social media and talking on the phone was associated with lower levels of loneliness among the older adults. The findings support social work and public health recommendations for addressing loneliness during times of social distancing under the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health crises. (Edited publisher abstract)
Estimating need in older people: findings for England
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- London
This report estimates the numbers of older people living with ill health, poverty, unmet needs for care and support, loneliness, social isolation and poor housing in England. It also collates findings from qualitative studies to provide insights from older people’s own voices about the experience of living with these different needs. The report estimates that there are up to 5.9 million people aged 65 and over living with need. Analysis of the qualitative studies found the main areas of struggle in life for older people are ill health with associated disability and restricted mobility, lack of help with everyday activities, money, problems associated with home and housing, loneliness and social isolation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older men at the margins: guidance for practitioners and services providing groups for older men
- Authors:
- WILLIS Paul, et al
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- London
This report sets out the learning from a two-year study to explore ways of alleviating loneliness and reducing isolation for older men across hard-to-reach and seldom-heard groups. This included older men who are single or living alone in urban and rural areas; older gay men who are single or living alone; older men with hearing loss; and older men who are carers for significant others. The guide looks at factors to be considered to meet the diverse needs of older men through group programmes and interventions. It also identifies some of the barriers experienced by older men in accessing groups and information on types of groups and how to keep groups running long-term. The guide will be useful for professionals and services who wish to set up groups, or who are already running groups for older people. (Edited publisher abstract)
Reconnecting with the past: a framework to better serve the information needs of older people on social networking sites
- Authors:
- KAMOUN Faouzi, GHARBI Sofien, GHAZELI Ali Amine
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 22(3), 2018, pp.154-165.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Grounded in the socio-emotional selectivity theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop a people recommender and social matching system that better serves the information needs of older people on social networking sites or services (SNSs). Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses systems development as a design science research methodology to construct a conceptual framework and then design and prototype a recommender system. Findings: The research demonstrates that it is possible to exploit Google Maps-based interfaces, coupled with historical geo-temporal information, to develop a recommender system on SNSs that can empower older adults to reconnect with past acquaintances. Research limitations/implications: The proposed system is an advanced prototype that has been tested using simulated data sets as opposed to real-life data involving actual end-users through field studies. Practical implications: When examined through the lenses of socio-emotional and neighbourhood theories, this research opens new opportunities to develop supportive social networks for older people. Social implications The paper promotes a better social engagement and contributes to the mental and physical health of older people, which can act as a shield against loneliness, anxiety and depression. Originality/value: The paper uses Google Maps interfaces and the concept of geo-temporal proximity indices to build an “elder-friendly” recommender system that can assist older people to reconnect with past friends, neighbours and colleagues. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older men's perceptions of the need for and access to male-focused community programmes such as Men's Sheds
- Authors:
- NURMI Mary Anne, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 38(4), 2018, pp.794-816.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Although participating in community social programming is associated with positive physical and mental health outcomes for older adults, older men participate less often than women. Men's Sheds is a community programme used primarily by older men that originated in Australia and is well established there. The goal of the current study was to explore men's perceptions of the need for Men's Sheds and issues concerning access to them in Canada, a country with a small but growing Men's Sheds movement. The authors conducted focus groups with 64 men aged 55 years and older, including Men's Sheds members and men from the community who were unfamiliar with this programme, and analysed the data using the framework analytic approach. The data revealed two primary themes concerning: (a) the need for male-focused community programmes, including the sub-themes reducing isolation, forming friendships and engaging in continued learning; and (b) access to programmes, including the sub-themes points of contact, sustaining attendance and barriers. Findings suggest that in order to reduce the likelihood of isolation and increase opportunities for social engagement, exposure to the concept of male-focused programming should begin before retirement age. In addition, such programmes should be mindful of how they are branded and marketed in order to create spaces that are welcoming to new and diverse members. (Edited publisher abstract)
Promoting independent living among people with dementia and sight loss
- Authors:
- LAWRENCE Vanessa, MURRAY Joanna
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Care Services Management, 3(3), April 2009, pp.261-274.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper presents findings from the first qualitative research project to explore the experiences and needs of older adults with concurrent sight loss and dementia. The study found that individuals experienced a profound sense of disorientation and were highly vulnerable to isolation. The paper highlights the importance of providing this client group with corrective remedies for sight loss, a ‘user-friendly’ environment, optimal lighting, colour and contrast, assistive technology, clear verbal instructions, one-to-one contact and opportunities for interaction and activity. Different services were successful in providing aspects of this care. Mental health professionals tended to regard vision loss as a secondary concern. It is essential that service providers and care professionals acknowledge and respond to the complex needs of this population.