Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Social isolation among older Londoners
- Author:
- CLIFTON Jonathan
- Publisher:
- Institute for Public Policy Research
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 23p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
London faces a particular challenge in addressing social isolation among older people. The city has higher rates of population churn and pensioner poverty and less intergenerational contact than other areas of England. Its social care system is under pressure, with higher staff turnover and a greater reliance on migrant workers than other parts of the country. Given these challenges, how can public policy help to reduce social isolation among older people in London? This paper argues that while the state is good at tackling many problems, it is not currently equipped to tackle the issue of social isolation, which has its roots in wider changes to the way we live our lives. Based on primary research with older service users and service providers in London, it identifies four conditions that enable social ties to flourish and sets out what policymakers can do to promote them: support the development of places in which people can interact; design services around relationships, rather than fixed institutions and procedures; create a community information infrastructure, based on face-to-face contacts, peer support, web technology and a single point of access; and make sure that the first point of contact a person has with any service results in their wider needs being assessed and provided for.
Older people and social quality – what difference does income make?
- Authors:
- FOSTER Liam, TOMLINSON Mark, WALKER Alan
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 39(11), 2019, pp.2351-2376.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article explores the relationship between Social Quality and income in later life and represents the first application of the concept to a United Kingdom data-set with an explicit focus on older people. In order to undertake this analysis, confirmatory factor analysis models are employed in conjunction with the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). This enables various dimensions or domains of Social Quality to be measured and then subjected to further scrutiny via regression analysis. Initially, the paper explores links between low income, poverty and older people, prior to outlining the concept of Social Quality and its four conditional factors. Following the methodology, the impact of income on Social Quality domains is explored. The research identifies that differences in income in older age provide a partial explanation of differences in individual Social Quality. While there is a statistically significant relationship between income and certain aspects of Social Quality such as economic security, altruism, social networks and culture/participation, other factors such as health, identity and time did not have a statistically significant relationship with income. This indicates that improvements in the income of older people are likely to positively impact on aspects of their Social Quality. Finally, some policy implications of the finding are outlined with particular reference to the potential role for pensions in enhancing aspects of Social Quality in retirement. (Edited publisher abstract)
Building on personal networks when intervening with multi-problem poor families
- Author:
- SOUSA Liliana
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 19(2), July 2005, pp.163-179.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
With the aim of analyzing the strengths which exist in the personal social networks of members of multi-problem poor families, a sample of 100 members of these families was surveyed, using a structured interview. The main results of this exploratory Portuguese study suggest that: strong family ties constitute a resource to be taken into account; friends and neighbours are a resource that needs to be activated; the members of these families need to develop more reciprocal relationships within their personal network; emotional support is an open door towards the activation of other forms of support; it is necessary to give special attention to two sub-groups (women and the elderly).
Ageing in India: some key issues
- Author:
- JAMUNA D.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing International, 25(4), Spring 2000, pp.16-31.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
In the forthcoming decades, there will be a tremendous increase in the number of elderly in India, with their rate of increase being faster than that of the total population. How is the country going to manage this huge elderly population, given its poor resources and standard of living? What are the issues involved in this challenge? This article briefly discusses some of these issues with regard to work status, dependency ration, living arrangements, gender ageing, health and disability status, family and kinship relationships and availability of social security provisions for the elderly.
Social determinants of psychiatric morbidity and well-being in immigrant elders and whites in East London
- Authors:
- SILVEIRA Ellen R.T., EBRAHIM Shah
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(1), November 1998, pp.801-812.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The social conditions under which migrants to the UK live may be more significant than the experience of migration itself in leading to increased risk of mental illness. This project compares the prevalence of mental, physical and social health problems in elderly Somalis, Bengalis and whites living in a deprived inner London area and examines associations between environmental circumstances, social support, physical health status, mood and life satisfaction in these groups. In addition the project tests the hypothesis that differences in mental health between immigrants and whites are explained by disadvantages rather than ethnicity. The results seemed to support a multiple jeopardy theory of ageing in ethnic minorities in east London.
Inequalities in later life
- Authors:
- SCHARF Thomas, SHAW Caroline
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Better
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 127
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents the results of an evidence review on the nature of inequalities in later life, with a focus on six key areas: subjective wellbeing; physical and mental health; life expectancy and healthy life expectancy; financial security; social connections; and home and living environment. The review was carried out by researchers at the Institute of Health and Society and Institute for Ageing at Newcastle University and the International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC-UK) and includes published research from 2006 to 2016. For each outcome, inequalities were considered in relation to: gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or beliefs, socioeconomic status, place of residence, and status as an informal carer. The results show that inequalities for older people are largely a product of poverty and disadvantage throughout life. Poor education and work opportunities and lack of social connection can have long term consequences. The review also found that older women are more vulnerable to financial difficulties than older men, with both their employment history and family circumstances impacting on pension income and ability to save. People from BAME backgrounds and some from LGBT are also disproportionately disadvantaged. In analysing the strength of the available evidence, the review also identified the need for more research relating to the inequalities in later life experienced by Black and minority ethnic groups, LGBT groups and people with disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Making the connections: the final report on transport and social exclusion
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Social Exclusion Unit
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Social Exclusion Unit
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 147p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report examines the links between social exclusion, transport and the location of services. It is particularly focused on access to those opportunities that have the most impact on life-chances, such as work, learning and healthcare. People may not be able to access services as a result of social exclusion. For example, they may be restricted in their use of transport by low incomes, or because bus routes do not run to the right places. Age and disability can also stop people driving and using public transport. Problems with transport provision and the location of services can reinforce social exclusion. They prevent people from accessing key local services or activities, such as jobs, learning, healthcare, food shopping or leisure. Problems can vary by type of area (for example urban or rural) and for different groups of people, such as disabled people, older people or families with children. The effects of road traffic also disproportionately impact on socially excluded areas and individuals through pedestrian accidents, air pollution, noise and the effect on local communities of busy roads cutting through residential areas.
Growing older in socially deprived areas: social exclusion in later life; summary
- Authors:
- SCHARF Thomas, et al
- Publisher:
- Help the Aged
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This summary report calls for urban regeneration, more money for older people and better urban planing and design. The report arises from a project 'Older people in deprived neighbourhoods' developed by a group of researchers based at the Centre for Social Gerontology, Keele University.
Growing older in socially deprived areas: social exclusion in later life
- Authors:
- SCHARF Thomas, et al
- Publisher:
- Help the Aged
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 124p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report calls for urban regeneration, more money for older people and better urban planing and design. The report arises from a project 'Older people in deprived neighbourhoods' developed by a group of researchers based at the Centre for Social Gerontology, Keele University.
Older people in Russia's transitional society: multiple deprivation and coping responses
- Authors:
- TCHERNINA Natalia V., TCHERNIN Efim A.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 22(5), September 2002, pp.543-562.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Given the absence of formal or institutional support, older people in Russia have had to develop pragmatic coping mechanisms, most commonly based on informal social networks and diverse income-generating activities, including barter and exchange in the informal 'grey' and 'black' economies. The household budgets of many pensioners increasingly rely upon their ability to raise income through their labour and the exchange of goods, and the time that they devote to these productive activities is increasing sharply. In comparison with other age groups, older people in Russia own many private apartments, garages, and garden or allotment plots, and they are important factors in the generation of income. These assets are used first and foremost to avert poverty and degradation, and more generally to support the immediate and extended family.