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The relationship between social functioning and subjective memory complaints in older persons: a population-based longitudinal cohort study
- Authors:
- KUIPER Jisca S., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(10), 2017, pp.1059-1071.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: Poor social functioning is associated with cognitive decline in older adults. It is unclear whether social functioning is also associated with subjective memory complaints (SMC). This study investigated the association between social functioning and incident SMC and SMC recovery. Methods: A population-based sample of 8762 older adults (aged ≥65 years) with good objective cognitive functioning at baseline (MMSE ≥26) from the LifeLines Cohort Study were followed for 1.5 years. Self-reported SMC were measured at baseline and after 1.5 years follow-up. Aspects of social functioning included marital status, household composition, social network size, social activity, quality of social relationships, social support, affection, behavioural confirmation, and status. Results: Thirteen percent (513/3963) developed SMC during follow-up (incident SMC). Multivariate logistic regression analyses (adjusted for age, gender, education level, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking status, depression, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke) showed that participants with better feelings of affection, behavioural confirmation and stable good social support had a lower risk of incident SMC. Thirty-four percent (1632/4799) reported recovery. Participants with good social functioning at baseline on all determinants reported more SMC recovery. People who remained stable in a relationship, stable in good quality of social relationships or increased in quality of social relationships more often report SMC recovery. Conclusions: Good social functioning is associated with less incident SMC and more SMC recovery over a follow-up period of 1.5 years. Albeit future confirmative studies are needed, the authors argue for also targeting social functioning when designing multidomain interventions to prevent or slow down cognitive decline. (Edited publisher abstract)
How does social support affect functional impairment in late life? Findings of a multicenter prospective cohort study in Germany
- Authors:
- HAJEK Andre, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 46(5), 2017, pp.813-820.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Objective: To investigate how social support affects functional impairment (FI) in late life in a longitudinal approach. Methods: in a multicenter prospective cohort study, subjects in old age (≥75 years at baseline) were interviewed every 1.5 years. Social support was quantified in the follow-up (FU) Waves 2 and 4 (FU Wave 2: n = 2,349; FU Wave 4: n = 1,484). FI was assessed by using the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale. Results: Fixed effects regressions showed that a decrease in social support is associated with FI in the total sample and in both sexes. The effect on FI was most pronounced with the dimension social integration, whereas changes in practical support only affected FI in the total sample and changes in emotional support only affected FI in men. Conclusions: The findings emphasise the importance of social support for functional status in late life. Thus, strengthening social support in old age might be effective in maintaining functional abilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Loneliness and the aging population: how businesses and governments can address a looming crisis
- Authors:
- PALMARINI Nicola, et al
- Publisher:
- IBM
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- Armonk, NY
This report explores the growing problem of loneliness in older people, current interventions, and ideas for future solutions. It draws on insights from interviews with a range of experts from six countries, including insight from medical professionals, social workers, academic researchers, technologists. The report focuses on why it is important for organisations understand loneliness and ageing, the triggers for loneliness, and why loneliness is so difficult to alleviate. It also looks at what is being done to alleviate loneliness in the ageing population today and potential future solutions. The report shows that for older people, loneliness is an emerging risk factor that has implications for personal, economic, and societal well-being. It identifies three areas for developing future solutions to address loneliness: detecting loneliness earlier and intervening earlier; helping people feel more engaged with others, and helping people rebuild social capital. It also outlines suggested actions for providers, business and employers. Short case studies of initiatives are included. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘I'm happy in my life now, I'm a positive person’: approaches to successful ageing in older adults living with HIV in Ontario, Canada
- Authors:
- EMLET Charles A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(10), 2017, pp.2128-2151.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Worldwide approximately 3.6 million people aged 50 and older are living and ageing with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Few studies have explored successful ageing from the insider perspective of those living well and ageing with HIV. This study draws upon the lived experience and wisdom of older, HIV-positive adults living in Ontario, Canada in order to understand their views and strategies for successful ageing. This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 30 individuals age 50 years and older who are HIV-positive. Purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit individuals who shared their experiences of successful ageing. Constructivist grounded theory coding techniques were used for analysis. Themes related to successful ageing included resilience strategies and challenges, social support and environmental context. Stigma and struggles to maintain health were identified as impediments to successful ageing. Models of successful ageing must take into account the potential for a subjective appraisal of success in populations suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses including HIV. Practitioners can draw upon organically existent strengths in this population in order to provide intervention development for older adults around the world who are struggling to manage their HIV. (Publisher abstract)
Inequalities in later life: the issue and implications for policy and practice
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR AGEING BETTER
- Publisher:
- Centre for Ageing Better
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- London
Highlights key insights from a scoping review on the inequalities in experienced by older people England. It focuses on three main areas and identifies what needs to be done to address inequalities for each. The areas cover inequalities in health and mental health; financial security and improving social connections. It also stresses that multiple, interrelated factors shape people’s experience of inequalities in later life and that a focus on inequalities caused by poverty and disadvantage should be at the root of any policy and practice solutions. The report aims to stimulate debate and action to tackle inequalities in later life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Looking to the long term: the Japanese approach
- Author:
- CURRY Natasha
- Publisher:
- Nuffield Trust
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing highlights two examples of preventative service from Japan which provide low level support to older people before their health deteriorates. The “Ten Million House” is run by volunteers and provides an informal meeting space for older people and activities. It aims to connect older people who are at risk of becoming isolated before their health deteriorates, providing them with an informal network they can rely on when their care needs increase. The ‘Dream Lake Village’ day centre provides low-level care to older people who live at home but who need some help with daily activities. It has been designed to increase users’ independence and prevent their decline. The examples show how, instead of waiting for those people to deteriorate to the point where they need care, the Japanese Government is encouraging municipal governments to invest in community facilities, volunteering and social support networks. (Edited publisher abstract)
Community building for old age: breaking new ground. The UK's first senior cohousing community, High Barnet
- Author:
- BRENTON Maria
- Publisher:
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 15
- Place of publication:
- London
This case study describes an initiative developed by the Older Women’s Cohousing (OWCH) group, who understanding that living alone as they grew old could leave them vulnerable, looked to each other to develop and share their social capital. The group have developed a cohousing community based on shared responsibility and mutual support. The model offers a template whereby older people can actively collaborate to live as friendly helpful neighbours at the very least, whether they move house or not. (Edited publisher abstract)
Support networks of childless older people: informal and formal support in Europe
- Authors:
- DEINDL Christian, BRANDT Martina
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(8), 2017, pp.1543-1567.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Western societies are ageing rapidly. Today people do not only live longer, they also have fewer children. These developments exert considerable pressure on welfare states. Children have usually been the mainstay of old age support, especially when there is no partner. We thus face new challenges: On which support networks can a growing number of childless older people rely? (How) can the lack of children be compensated in the informal social network? What role does the state play and how is informal and formal support linked? Our comparative analyses of the support networks of childless elders are based on the first two waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, including 14,394 people with (instrumental) activities of daily living limitations aged 50 and over from 12 European countries. On average, 10 per cent of older Europeans today have no children. Sporadic informal support for these elders is often taken over by the extended family, friends and neighbours, and thus the lack of children is compensated within the social network. Intense care tasks, however, are more likely provided by professional providers, especially in the case of childless older people. In countries with low social service provision, childless elders are therefore likely to experience a lack of (formal) support, especially when depending on vital care. (Publisher abstract)
Living alone and depression: the modifying role of the perceived neighborhood environment
- Authors:
- STAHL Sarah T., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(10), 2017, pp.1065-1071.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: Older adults who live alone are more likely to report feelings of depression than those who live with a spouse or other family members. This study examines the effects of residential status and perceived neighbourhood characteristics on depression in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: This study is based on a probability sample of 1049 adults aged 55–98 years (M = 69 years) residing in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA, USA in 2014. Thirty percent of participants reported living alone. The study tested a multivariate model using living alone (vs. living with a family member or others) and perceived neighbourhood physical and social quality as predictors of depressive symptomatology while controlling for age, sex, race, education, and disability. Results: Living alone (compared to living with a family member) was associated with elevated levels of depressive symptomatology. However, perceptions of neighbourhood social quality moderated this association. Living alone was more highly associated with depression when the perceived social quality of the neighbourhood was low. Neighbourhood social quality was not associated with depression among older adults who lived with a family member. Perceptions of neighbourhood physical quality were not significantly associated with depression. Conclusions: Perceptions of good neighbourhood social quality is important for adults who live alone, in terms of fewer symptoms of depression. (Edited publisher abstract)
Being lonely later in life: a qualitative study among Albanians and Moroccans in Italy
- Authors:
- CELA Eralba, FOKKEMA Tineke
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(6), 2017, pp.1197-1226.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study focuses on the social wellbeing of older migrants in Italy, an important yet neglected topic in the Italian political and scholarly debate. Knowledge about the lived experience of loneliness and its perceived causes was gathered by means of 34 in-depth interviews with Albanian and Moroccan migrants aged 50 and above living in the Marche region. The authors'r findings show that the participants are surrounded by family and are largely satisfied with the contact they have with relatives; this protects them from social isolation but not from loneliness. Although they rarely express this to their spouse and friends (men) or their children (men and women), feelings of loneliness are widely experienced among the participants. The root of their loneliness largely relates to a lack of meaningful relationships with non-related age peers – having a chat, remembering old times, socialising with others when family members are busy, talking about intimate matters they cannot or will not share with relatives – which supports the argument of loneliness scholars that different types of relationships serve different functions and fulfil different needs. Having more contact with people outside the family circle, especially with co-ethnic peers, could reduce these feelings of loneliness substantially, but factors such as discrimination and lack of Italian language proficiency, free time, financial resources and nearby contact facilities are hindrances. These factors offer clues for public loneliness interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)