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When we are old and gray : report of the committee on the living conditions of elderly people in the community
- Author:
- LIASON COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE EUROPIAN COMMUNITY
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
- Publication year:
- 1983
- Pagination:
- 29p.
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
The concept of 'ageing well' in ten Latin American countries
- Authors:
- FERNANDEZ-BALLESTEROS R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 30(1), January 2010, pp.41-56.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
A review of several studies examining the lay concept of successful ageing and related concepts leads to the conclusion that older people from different cultures appear to agree on most of the components identified in the literature. From the research emerges a multidimensional conceptualisation of ‘successful ageing’ that is described on the basis of physical, emotional, cognitive and social domains, and which coincides with most theoretical and empirical definitions. The main goal of the present research is to study similarities and differences between concepts of ‘successful ageing’ in several Latin American and European countries and in two different age groups, and also to examine whether a similar structure of the lay concept can be found across both continents. The results show minor differences at item levels among countries, continents and age groups, and a similar internal structure across them.
Reciprocity in parent-child exchange and life satisfaction among elderly: a cross-national perspective
- Authors:
- LWENSTEIN Ariela, KATZ Ruth, GUR-YAISH Nurit
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Issues, 63(4), 2007, pp.865-883.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study explores the role of intergenerational exchange relationships in the life satisfaction of a cross-national sample of older people. Specifically, it replicates and extends the study by Lee, Netzer, and Coward (1995), which examined the effects of aid exchanged between generations - older parents and their adult children. Social exchange and equity theories serve as the theoretical frameworks for the present research. The current research is based on data collected in the OASIS cross-national five countries (Norway, England, Germany, Spain and Israel) project from 1,703 respondents (75+) living in urban settings. The main results are that the capacity to be an active provider in exchange relations enhances elders' life satisfaction. Being mainly a recipient of help from adult children is related to a lower level of life satisfaction. Filial norms are negatively related to life satisfaction. The study also underscores the importance of the emotional component in intergenerational family relations to the well-being of the older population. Intergenerational family bonds reflect a diversity of forms related to individual, familial, and social structural characteristics. The research highlights the importance of reciprocity in intergenerational relations between older parents and their adult children.
A comparison of self and proxy quality of life ratings for people with dementia and their carers: a European prospective cohort study
- Authors:
- O'SHEA E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 24(1), 2020, pp.162-170.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: To identify correlates of self-rated and proxy-rated quality of life (QoL) in people with dementia on (i) a dementia-specific and (ii) a capability-wellbeing QoL measure at baseline and 12-month follow-up, and to consider such factors in the context of QoL intervention development. Method: Prospective clinical and demographic data were collected from 451 community-dwelling dyads (mild-moderate dementia) across eight European countries. QoL was measured using the QOL-AD and the ICECAP-O. Multivariate modelling identified correlates of self- and proxy-rated QoL at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. Results: Carer’s proxy-ratings of QoL were significantly lower than self-ratings at all time-points for both measures. Proxy-ratings declined over time, but self-ratings remained stable. Baseline predictors of greater self-rated QoL were education, and greater functional ability and relationship quality. Greater proxy-rated QoL was associated with education and greater functional ability, relationship quality, carer social support and carer QoL, lower carer anxiety/depression and less severe neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia. At follow-up, greater self-rated QoL was predicted by greater functional ability, relationship quality, carer social support and having a spousal carer. Greater proxy-rated QoL at follow-up was associated with the same factors as at baseline; however, the dyad living together was an additional predictive factor. Conclusion: Both proxy-ratings and self-ratings of QoL should be interpreted with caution and in the context of each individual caregiving relationship. Different functional, psychosocial, relational and contextual factors influence self- and proxy-ratings, and both sets of factors should be considered in the context of QoL intervention development for the dyad. (Publisher abstract)
Satisfaction with daily activities after retirement in Europe
- Authors:
- BONSANG Eric, SOEST Arthur van
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 35(6), 2015, pp.1146-1170.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper analyses the determinants of satisfaction with daily activities among retirees aged 65 years or older in 11 European countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. It uses data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe on self-assessed satisfaction with daily activities and anchoring vignettes to correct for potential differences in response scales across countries and socio-demographic groups. On average, retired Europeans appear to be satisfied with their daily activities, but there are large differences across countries: respondents from Northern countries tend to be more satisfied than individuals from Central European or Mediterranean countries. The analysis shows that correcting for response scale differentials alters the country ranking for satisfaction with daily activities but hardly affects the conclusions on the factors driving within-country differences between socio-demographic groups. (Edited publisher abstract)
Happier and less isolated: internet use in old age
- Author:
- LELKES Orsolya
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 21(1), 2013, pp.33-46.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
This paper explores the impact of internet use in old age on social isolation and on subjective wellbeing. Using a European multi-country cross-sectional dataset with over 11,000 observations, the study found that those who use the internet regularly have a lower chance of being isolated, more so for those who use the internet every day, controlling for personal characteristics such as income, marital status, gender and health condition. Thus, personal social meetings and virtual contacts are complementary, rather than substituting for each other. Internet use may be a useful way of reducing social isolation. A positive relationship was also found between regular internet use and self-reported life satisfaction, all else being equal. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social well-being of disabled older persons: an evidence of unequal ageing in Europe
- Authors:
- GASIOR Katrin, ZAIDI Asghar
- Publisher:
- European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 14p.
- Place of publication:
- Vienna
This Policy Brief from the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research examines the well-being of disabled older people living in European countries, by analysing various social dimensions such as satisfaction with present situation and living standards, future optimism, respect and social contacts. Multivariate modelling techniques were adopted to show how disability alone affects social well-being of older persons. The empirical results are derived from the 2006 European Social Survey. Results show that disability has a strong negative impact on various aspects of older people's social well-being, even after controlling for other pertinent factors such as education, gender, marital status and the income class. The analyses provide insights about the heterogeneity of older population in general, but particularly the fact that the experience of ageing will be strongly influenced by disability factors. The strategies presented to improve social well-being of older persons will entail building a supportive environment in which older people have opportunities to participate in the society even for those with a significant disability.
Living conditions and life satisfaction of older Europeans living alone: a gender and cross-country analysis
- Authors:
- GAYMU Joelle, SPRINGER Sabine
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 30(7), October 2010, pp.1153-1175.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This paper investigated the influence of living conditions on the life satisfaction of older Europeans living alone. Data were from the first wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which includes a single-item question for life satisfaction and a large set of health, family and socio-economic indicators. A lower proportion of women living alone declared themselves to be satisfied with life compared to men. When inequalities in living conditions were accounted for, the difference disappeared, but some determinants of life satisfaction differed for men and women and varied among countries. No limitations in daily activities, a high level of education, participation in leisure activities and an older age increased life satisfaction for both men and women living alone. The existence of a child influenced the life satisfaction of men. Income level or home ownership had an impact for women. A north-south difference was observable only for women living alone: all other things being equal, women had a higher probability of declaring themselves satisfied with life in northern European countries than in the south, and their life satisfaction was strongly linked to the socio-cultural context.
Socio-economic position and quality of life among older people in 10 European countries: results of the SHARE study
- Authors:
- VON DEM KNESEBECK Olaf, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 27(2), March 2007, pp.269-284.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study examines associations between quality of life and multiple indicators of socio-economic position among people aged 50 or more years in 10 European countries, and analyses whether the relative importance of the socio-economic measures vary by age. The countries studied were Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The data are from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in 2004. 15,080 cases were analysed. Quality of life was measured by a short version of the CASP-19 questionnaire, which represents quality of life as comprising four conceptual domains of individual needs that are particularly relevant in later life: control, autonomy, self-realisation and pleasure. The short version has 12 items (three for each domain). Five indicators of socio-economic position were used: income, education, home ownership, net worth, and car ownership. A multiple logistic regression showed that quality of life was associated with socio-economic position, but that the associations varied by country. Relatively small socio-economic differences in quality of life were observed for Switzerland, but comparatively large differences in Germany. Education, income, net worth, and car ownership consistently related to quality of life, but the association of home ownership was less consistent. There was no indication that the socio-economic differences in quality of life diminished after retirement (i.e. from 65+ years). Conventional measures of socio-economic position (education and income), as well as alternative indicators (car ownership and household net worth), usefully identified the differential risks of poor quality of life among older people before and after the conventional retirement age.
COVID-19 and older people: impact on their lives, support and care
- Authors:
- DUBOIS Hans, et al
- Publisher:
- European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 92
- Place of publication:
- Luxembourg
This report captures the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the quality of life of older citizens, including the impact on their well-being, finances, employment and social inclusion. It explores the effects on the use of care services and older people's reliance on other support. The report presents policy measures that have been implemented in EU Member States to support older people along all of the above-mentioned dimensions. These include measures to support independent living and schemes to support the labour market integration of older people or to prevent unemployment, all of which play a role in the quality of life of older citizens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social contacts decreased in all age groups in the EU; mental health deteriorated for people of all ages during the pandemic, but affected young people and the 80+ age group most severely; both decreases and increases in income were less common among older people, for whom pensions proved to be a stable source of income - however, pandemic-related expenditure, such as spending on private transport and care services, caused financial difficulties, especially for low-income groups; during the pandemic, the likelihood of reduced physical activity increased with age; low-tech e-healthcare (by phone) facilitated access to healthcare during COVID-19, however, many older people still preferred face-to-face consultations and almost half of users aged 50+ who opted to use e-healthcare reported that it did not fully meet their needs. (Edited publisher abstract)