Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Is social exclusion still important for older people?
- Author:
- KNEALE Dylan
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 124p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Social exclusion among older people has received little attention, despite the fact that older people are at high risk of social isolation and loneliness, as well as exhibiting substantial inequalities in income and housing. The study analysed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), collected in 2002 and 2008, to examine how patterns of social exclusion have changed. Social exclusion was measured across 7 domains including exclusion from social relationships, local amenities, financial products, civic activities and access to information, decent housing and public transport, cultural activities, and common consumer goods. The report discusses: how social exclusion can be measured among older people; factors associated with the risk of being socially excluded in 2008; how exclusion status changes over time for individuals; and the impact social exclusion has on people’s lives. The findings show that levels of social exclusion rose slightly between 2002 and 2008 among people aged 50 and above. In 2002, 54.4% were not excluded on any domain, reducing to 52.3% in 2008. The report highlights how an older person’s demographic, socioeconomic and health characteristics are associated with whether or not they are socially excluded. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Exploring community perceptions of the relationship between age and social exclusion in rural areas
- Authors:
- O'SHEA Eamon, WALSH Kieran, SCHARF Tom
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 13(1), 2012, pp.16-26.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This paper investigated community perceptions of the relationship between age and social exclusion in rural areas of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The research was conducted through focus groups with community stakeholders, which were undertaken in ten communities in different rural settings – village, near-urban, island, dispersed, and remote – in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Findings indicated four themes as important in determining exclusion or inclusion for older people living in rural areas: place; economic circumstances; social provision; and social connectedness. Within these themes, various tipping points emerged as important for pathways into and out of exclusion, most notably local systems of social support and the mindset of older people themselves in relation to participation. Implications for future research are discussed.
An exploration of the value and mechanisms of befriending for older adults in England
- Authors:
- LESTER Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(2), February 2012, pp.307-328.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are growing problems. Befriending services are an intervention used in many countries to target social isolation in older adults. The aim of this study was to explore service users’ experiences of befriending and to identify the key components of befriending. Interviews were conducted with 25 older adults who had used one of 5 different befriending services across England. Berkman's theoretical model of how individual social networks impact on health was used as a framework to help interpret the data. The findings suggest that befriending offers some compensation for loss of elective relationships from older adults’ social networks, providing opportunities for emotional support and reciprocal social exchange through development of safe, confiding relationships. Good conversational skills and empathy were the foundation of successful relationships within which commonalities were then sought. Befrienders broadened befriendees’ perspectives on life, particularly among older adults in residential care. Social engagement was a powerful mechanism of action, particularly in terms of connecting people back into the community, reinforcing meaningful social roles and connecting to a past life that had often been significantly disrupted by loss.
Circumstances of people with sight loss: secondary analysis of understanding society and the life opportunities survey
- Authors:
- McMANUS Sally, LORD Chris
- Publisher:
- Royal National Association for the Blind
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 109p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents indicators derived from two large national survey datasets. These allow for the circumstances of people with visual impairment to be described and for comparisons with the rest of the population to be made. Key findings showed that people living with sight loss tend to be older and experience a range of inequalities across many different aspects of their lives, they experience more difficulty in accessing health services, and report having lower feelings of wellbeing. People living with sight loss are more likely to experience financial hardship, and face greater restrictions to their participation in education and employment. People living with sight loss also report that they have less choice about how they spend their free time. Barriers remain to accessing travel, shopping and other activities, and family members, friends and neighbours provide the vast majority of support.
Loneliness: the state we're in: a report of evidence compiled for the Campaign to End Loneliness
- Author:
- BOLTON Margaret
- Publisher:
- Age UK Oxfordshire
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 28p.
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
The aim of this brief report is to summarise the evidence about loneliness and isolation that has been collected by the Campaign to End Loneliness. The vision of the Campaign, which is a led by a coalition of interested organisations, is for fewer people to feel lonely in older age and for more people to maintain their friendships and connections through times of life change. The hope is that the report will prompt a dialogue involving the academic community and researchers working in the voluntary, public and private sectors. Work is needed to fill the knowledge gaps and produce a better understanding of how to approach the controversies in research into loneliness. The paper begins with a chapter on understanding loneliness and looks at it in terms of isolation, transience versus persistence, prevalence and changes over time, and ethnic minority communities. The impact of loneliness on health related quality of life is looked at from a biological perspective and discussed in terms of physical and mental health, mortality, and quality of life. Later sections examine the risks and influences and ways of preventing or alleviating loneliness.
Loneliness and isolation: evidence review
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Loneliness and isolation are not the same. The causes of loneliness are not just physical isolation and lack of companionship, but also sometimes the lack of a useful role in society. Estimates of prevalence of loneliness tend to concentrate on the older population and they vary widely, with reputable research coming up with figures of 6%-13% of the UK population being described as often or always lonely. This evidence review has been produced in order to provide evidence to underpin decision-making for people involved in commissioning, service development, fundraising and influencing. It discusses: the policy context; what is known about loneliness and isolation in older people; and what has been done (including one-to-one services, group services, and community involvement) and how effective they were. The key messages from the evidence are listed.
Correlates of depression among Chinese immigrant elders in Arizona: the role of acculturative stress and social support
- Authors:
- KANG Suk-Young, BOYAS Javier, SALEHIN Mashooq
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 22(3), April 2012, pp.334-350.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study investigated the relationship between stress, social support, and depression among Chinese immigrant elders living in Arizona, United States. The study used the stress and coping framework on a sample of 120 respondents, with an average age of 76 years. All participants were part of the Mandarin speaking population, and 25% lived in household where no English was spoken. Of the sample, about 14% of the elders reported depressive symptoms, with women being most likely to suffer depression. Results suggested that English language proficiency, health status, and gender were significant correlates of depression. The authors concluded that the findings justified the creation of intervention programmes that targeted Chinese immigrant elders who were less proficient in English, female, and in poor health. The need for screening with this group when they interfaced with health services should be a priority. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
The social lives of rural Australian nursing home residents
- Authors:
- PARMENTER Glenda, CRUICKSHANK Mary, HUSSAIN Rafat
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(2), February 2012, pp.329-353.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Visits from family and friends are very important to the quality of the lives of rural nursing home residents. The aim of this study was to focus on the relationships of nursing home residents with people external to the nursing home, and to examine the factors that predict more frequent visiting. Telephone surveys were conducted with the designated next-of-kin of 257 residents in 13 residential care facilities in the rural New England area of New South Wales. The findings showed that the wider, potential, social networks of rural nursing home residents comprised approximately 17 people and involved a wide range of family and friends. However, their actual social networks consisted of approximately 2 females, daughters and friends, who had high-quality relationships with the resident and who visited at least once per month. The findings show that, in contrast to previous assertions that nursing home residents have robust support from their family and friends, the actual social networks of these residents have dwindled considerably over recent years, which may place them at risk of social isolation. Recommendations are made for rural nursing homes to help address the risk of social isolation faced by their residents.
Factors associated with suicidal thoughts in a large community study of older adults
- Authors:
- ALMEIDA Osvaldo P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 201(6), December 2012, pp.466-472.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
While thoughts about death and self-harm in old age are commonly associated with the presence of depression, evidence is accumulating that other risk factors may also be important. This cross sectional study examined the independent association between suicidal ideation in later life and demographic, lifestyle, socioeconomic, psychiatric and medical factors. A community-derived sample of 21,290 adults aged 60–101 years was enrolled from Australian primary care practices. Participants endorsing any of the four items of the Depressive Symptom Inventory –Suicidality Subscale were deemed to be experiencing suicidal thoughts. The 2-week prevalence of suicidal ideation was 4.8%. Male gender, higher education, current smoking, living alone, poor social support, no religious practice, financial strain, childhood physical abuse, history of suicide in the family, past depression, current anxiety, depression or comorbid anxiety and depression, past suicide attempt, pain, poor self-perceived health and current use of antidepressants were independently associated with suicidal ideation. Poor social support was associated with a population attributable fraction of 38.0%, followed by history of depression (23.6%), concurrent anxiety and depression (19.7%), prevalent anxiety (15.1%), pain (13.7%) and no religious practice (11.4%). While prevalent and past mood disorders could be valid targets for interventions to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviour, the data indicate that social disconnectedness and stress account for a larger proportion of cases than mood disorders.
Social isolation experienced by older people in rural communities
- Author:
- COMMISSION FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES
- Publisher:
- Commission for Rural Communities
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 78p.
- Place of publication:
- Gloucester
This report examines social isolation experienced by older people in England’s rural areas. For some people, the effects of not having family close to home can leave them in a position where they do not have day-to-day contact with others. At a time when spending reductions are leading to changes in the way that public services are provided in rural areas, this report considers the impact of those changes on the lives of older people. It assesses the impact that Government policy is having on 3 key areas of policy and public services (social care, transport and housing) and the extent to which they address social isolation for older people. It also identifies a number of approaches, and examples of good practice, which can maximise the benefits of community and voluntary activity. The cost of providing social care to older people in rural communities is higher than in urban areas. The report argues that Government proposals to increase the level of funding available to rural local authorities are unlikely to address the greater imbalance between the level of need and the amount of funding available. The report concludes with a series of recommendations.