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Religious congregations as social services providers for older adults
- Authors:
- CNAAN Ram A., BODDIE Stephanie C., KANG Jennifer J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 45(1/2), 2005, pp.105-130.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A large proportion of older adults are affiliated with congregations. The literature suggests that, in general, religious participation among the older adults enhances their quality of life and provides a network of social care. This article explores the relevant literature on organized religion and social support for older adults. Based on a census study of congregations in Philadelphia (N = 1,393), the authors documented the following: (1) the number of congregations serving older adults, (2) the types of services provided, and (3) the number of beneficiaries. The study also identified the organizational factors that predict the provision of congregation-based services for older adults. The findings suggest that serving older adults is not a top priority for most congregations. Most senior programs are small and often informal. Approximately half of the congregations do not provide a formal social service. However, those congregations that are more likely to serve older adults have larger budgets, more members over 65years-old, and a moderate political orientation. The authors recommend that congregations, social service providers, and older adults explore ways to maximize this underutilized resource of congregational services to meet the needs of the increasing number of older adults. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Examining resident social support systems in assisted living
- Author:
- KELLY Gina Aalgaard
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 93(3), July 2012, pp.219-225.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
Assisted living is a homelike long-term care alternative for an individual who can no longer live completely independently but does not need 24-hour direct nursing care. The purpose of this study was to examine the systems of social support utilised by residents in assisted living facilities. A total of 600 residents in 10 facilities from 6 states were interviewed to identify 3 systems of social support: formal (provided by care staff), informal (provided by family and friends), and resident (residents meeting their own individual needs). The findings show that formal, informal, and resident social support systems are all important to residents of assisted living. The resident system of social support was found to be key in the utilisation of the informal and formal social support systems. Cognitive status was found to be the only resident characteristic significantly influencing use in all 3 systems.
Help in old age: facing up to the challenge; a longitudinal network study
- Author:
- WENGER G. Clare
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- Publication year:
- 1992
- Pagination:
- 237p.,tables,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Liverpool
Examines support networks for people over the age of 75, using quantitative and qualitative longitudinal data to show how the availability and sources of help in a wide range of areas depend on factors beyond the control of the individual. Draws attention to the significance of variation in network type and distribution of network type for care in the community, and suggests that these variations have not been given sufficient consideration in service planning.
Helping the elderly: the complementary roles of informal networks and formal systems
- Author:
- LITWAK Eugene
- Publisher:
- Guilford Press
- Publication year:
- 1985
- Pagination:
- 306p., tables, bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- New York
Support networks for Chinese older immigrants accessing English health and social care services: the concept of Bridge People
- Authors:
- LIU Xiayang, COOK Glenda, CATTAN Mima
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(2), 2017, pp.667-677.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As Chinese immigrants in the United Kingdom age, they experience an increasing need to access health and care services. It has, however, been reported that older Chinese immigrants have difficulties in accessing these services. This study explored the experiences of this population in using health and care services and the strategies that they adopted to address their difficulties. A grounded theory method with a two-staged research design was used. Stage 1 explored the participants’ experiences of ageing and use of health and social care services through focus group interviews. Stage 2 investigated the strategies individuals used to support access to and use of services through individual interviews. Forty-four older Chinese people and 15 supporters participated in interviews during August 2011 and May 2013. These older Chinese immigrants were challenged in knowing about and in accessing services. Their difficulties were attributed to language barriers, lack of information and instrumental support, and emotional and cultural issues regarding use of health and care services. Their supporters facilitated access to services and acted as a bridge between the service and the user; therefore, they were given the title ‘Bridge People’. Bridge People have different backgrounds: family and friends, public sector workers and staff from community-based Chinese organisations. The defining attributes of these supporters were: bilinguality, bicultural, multifunctionality and accessibility. There is no charge for this support; and the relationship between the Bridge Person and recipient involves trust and influence over decisions regarding use of health and care services. Bridge People should be recognised and identified by health, social care and housing services to promote engagement and use of services by older immigrant Chinese people. (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.
Improving decision-making in the care of older people: exploring the decision ecology: report
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 71p.
- Place of publication:
- York
The proportion of the population in retirement is estimated to rise significantly. This major demographic change makes it imperative to review the position of older people both as receivers and as givers of care and support. This report reviews the evidence relating to how to improve decisions made by and for older people about their care and support. It investigates how formal, semi-formal and informal relationships can work together to best effect, and the relationship between risk, trust, and good decision-making. The report: examines the nature of decision-making; explores the 'decision ecology' - the multi-factored contextual backdrop to decisions about risk and trust in an ageing society; discusses factors that influence, improve and impede caring decisions taken by a range of actors; considers the role of narratives in improving decisions for, by and about older people and their care; appraises risk management and trust development strategies; and investigates responsibility in decision-making. It argues that effective decision-making requires constructive partnerships between older people (carers and cared-for), and informal and formal carers that understand their value, potential shortcomings and strengths. However, risk elimination is not possible and the wellbeing of older people requires positive risk-taking.
Improving decision-making in the care and support of older people: summary
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
The proportion of the population in retirement is estimated to rise significantly. This major demographic change makes it imperative to review the position of older people both as receivers and as givers of care and support. This report summary outlines the findings of a review of the evidence relating to how to improve decisions made by and for older people about their care and support. It investigates how formal, semi-formal and informal relationships can work together to best effect, and the relationship between risk, trust, and good decision-making. This summary lists the key points identified by the review and also briefly discusses the findings in relation to: how decisions are made; the decision-making ecology; influences on caring decisions; the role of narrative; risk and trust; and responsibility. It argues that effective decision-making requires constructive partnerships between older people (carers and cared-for), and informal and formal carers that understand their value, potential shortcomings and strengths. However, risk elimination is not possible and the wellbeing of older people requires positive risk-taking.
Caring and the generation of social capital: two models for a positive relationship
- Authors:
- JOHANSSON Stina, LEONARD Rosemary, NOONAN Kerrie
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 21(1), January 2012, pp.44-52.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Social capital is the most commonly used term to reflect the collective benefits of community engagement. It refers to the resource that is created whenever people cooperate. When caring is linked to social capital, it is generally assumed that the nature of the relationship is that social capital is a resource that can be used for care work. When there is inadequate funding of aged care services by the state, then social capital may be seen as a substitute for economic and human capital. Caring, therefore, is seen as a drain on capital. However, in this article, the authors suggest that this does not have to be the case. Aged care services, if thoughtfully designed, can not only consume social capital, but also generate it. Two models of elder care, one Swedish and one Australian, are identified which specifically address the generation of social capital. In each case, the services and facilities have been developed by third-sector organisations with a strong community development focus, often in the face of resistance from other services.
Families and caring amongst older people in South Asian communities in the UK: a pilot study
- Authors:
- VICTOR Christina R., MARTIN Wendy, ZUBAIR Maria
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 15(1), 2012, pp.81-96.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The increasing ethnic and cultural diversity of the older population of the UK raises the need for the development of health and social care services which reflect this diversity. The Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities may be of greater need of care and support in older age, due to the considerable disadvantage experienced by these 2 populations across a range of parameters. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the experiences of care and support described by older people from Pakistani and Bangladeshi origins within the context of family and social networks. Semi-structured interviews were held with a small but diverse sample of 20 older Bangladeshi and Pakistani women and men aged 50 years and older. The findings suggest that, much like the trend within the general population, the family remains central in the provision of care and support for these ethnic minority older people. The article concludes by considering the implications this has for social care policy and practice.