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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.
Interpersonal relationships of older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland
- Authors:
- McCAUSLAND Darren, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(1), 2018, pp.e140-e153.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: People with intellectual disability tend to have smaller social networks than other groups, with even those living in community-based residences comparatively worse off. Materials and methods: Analysis of data from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) (n = 701) examined measures of interpersonal relationships and interactions. Predictors of family contact and having non-resident friends were also explored. Results: Social networks of older people with intellectual disability differ considerably from the general older population, with a reliance on support staff and co-resident friends in place of their own immediate family structures and wider friendships. Proximity to family most strongly predicted family contact. Residence in independent or family residences was most strongly linked to having non-resident friends. Conclusions: While family proximity and community living are associated with improved social networks and contacts, older people with intellectual disability remain worse off than the general older population. (Publisher abstract)
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.
Functional impairment, illness burden, and depressive symptoms in older adults: does type of social relationship matter?
- Authors:
- HATFIELD Joshua, HIRSCH Jameson, LYNESS Jeffrey M.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(2), 2013, pp.190-198.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined the role of three types of social support as potential buffers of the association between illness burden, functional impairment and depressive symptoms. These included social support, as a buffer, and family criticism, as an exacerbating factor. A total of 735 older adults (over 65 years) were recruited from internal and family medicine primary care offices in New York State. Trained interviewers administered the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Duke Social Support Inventory, and Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale. Physician-rated assessments of health, including the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, were also completed. Analyses indicate that social interaction was a significant buffer, weakening the association between illness burden and depressive symptoms, whereas perceived social support buffered the relationship between functional impairment and depressive symptoms. Family criticism and instrumental social support were not significant moderators. The authors conclude that the type of medical dysfunction, whether illness or impairment, may require different therapeutic and supportive approaches. For those who are impaired, enhancement of perceived social support may be most important whereas for those who are ill it may be necessary to encourage social interactions.
Effectiveness of day services: summary of research evidence
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 29p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing updates the research evidence on the effectiveness of day services featured in the publication 'Day services for older people. Quality and effectiveness: a resource for providers and commissioners' (2008). After outlining the range of services and activities covered by the term ‘day services’, the briefing summarises the key points and outlines the methodology used for the review. The review which involved literature searches on a number of databases, journal archives, websites in July and August 2011. These searches supplement the original literature search which was carried out in December 2007. The findings and summaries of research evidence are then presented, listing each report in turn. Due to the lack of evidence focusing on day services, research is also included on activities to reduce isolation and loneliness. The few studies that specifically evaluated the impact of day services found that older people and their carers benefitted from them. The review also identified the different types of day services that can address older people’s need for social contact, exercise, to engage in and make contributions to society.
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.
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.
Are abnormal premorbid personality traits associated with Alzheimer's disease? A case-control study
- Authors:
- NICHOLAS Helen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(4), April 2010, pp.345-351.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined the association between premorbid personality traits, social networks and Alzheimer’s disease, using a case-control design, and two informant-based retrospective assessments of premorbid personality. The cases examined consisted of 217 subjects, 160 females and 57 males, diagnosed with probable late onset Alzheimer's disease, with participants from both community and nursing home settings, and a control group of 76 unaffected siblings of patients with Alzheimer’s was used as a comparison. Both participants and the control group received informant ratings of premorbid personality. Findings showed that a selection of abnormal personality traits were over represented in the Alzheimer's group and Alzheimer's disease was particularly associated with personality disorder traits such as being paranoid, schizoid or schizotypal. It was also shown that Alzheimer’s disease cases had correspondingly fewer social networks. The authors concluded that there is an association between abnormal personality traits and Alzheimer’s disease, with individuals with Alzheimer’s also appearing to have had lower levels of social interactivity.
Implementing change: the alleviation of social isolation and loneliness among older people in Leeds
- Authors:
- CATTAN Mima, INGOLD Kathryn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 2(3), September 2003, pp.12-19.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
Reviews key findings from research into social isolation and loneliness among older people and their implications for local strategic action to improve the mental health of older people in Leeds. The main findings described in the article focus on case study interviews with 23 project staff and focus group and individual interviews with older people. Local objectives arising from the study include raising awareness of social isolation and loneliness, challenging stigma and changing attitudes, improving and sharing good practice and working collectively to overcome practical barriers to social inclusion. The process has involved collating older people's views on loneliness, researching how to identify socially isolated older people, and identifying good practice. Concludes that while further national research is necessary, much information can be identified locally.
Living alone with dementia
- Authors:
- DUANE Fleur, BRASHER Kathleen, KOCH Susan
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 12(1), 2013, pp.123-136.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Living alone, social isolation and loneliness are terms used interchangeably, although they are really different, but related, concepts. Social isolation of older people who live alone is a major concern for aged care service providers. It is often linked with factors such as physical disability, poor health, loss of a partner and an absence of transport. Cognitive impairment or dementia can exacerbate the situation by curtailing independence and limiting social roles. This paper reports a study undertaken in 2009 with older people who live alone with cognitive impairment or early stage dementia to explore their perspective and experience of living alone. A total of 19 participants were recruited (13 female). The female participants were aged between 79 and 93, and the men between 69 and 91. On average, participants had been living alone for 14 years. Most participants were interviewed two or three times. The following themes were identified: life alone, social contact and support networks, purpose and identity in older age, risk and support strategies. The study findings are discussed through these themes.