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The links between social connections and wellbeing in later life
- Authors:
- SCRUTTON Jonathan, CREIGHTON Helen, INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- University College London
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 20
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, the first in a two part series summarising UCL research and exploring the policy implications of the work, focuses on social relationships and subjective wellbeing. It highlights that the loneliest and most socially isolated individuals have consistently lower levels of subjective wellbeing than older people who are more socially connected. Both the size of an individual's social network and their frequency of contact with that network are positively associated with wellbeing over 6 years of follow up. While older people begin to see a rise in their wellbeing in later life, those who are socially isolated do not. The report addresses the wider context of these findings, highlighting how a rapidly ageing population could potentially lead to greater numbers of lonely and socially isolated older people if nothing is done to address this issue. It then explores the policy implications of the research, showing that while social isolation and loneliness among older people have been rising up the policy agenda in recent years, the true extent of the loneliness problem is not currently fully known as the government only measures loneliness among those in care or caring for others. (Edited publisher abstract)
Good neighbours: measuring quality of life in older age
- Author:
- INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTRE UK
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 13p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Increasing numbers of older people, higher expectations for a good life, and demands on health and social care services, have led to international interest in improving and measuring quality of life (QoL) in older age. Yet whilst QoL is a subjective concept, most attempts to measure it have been largely based on expert opinions. Research since 1999 has attempted to create a new measure of QoL, based on the priorities of older people. The statistical results of the research were supported by survey responses and qualitative interviews. This resulted in the addition of the subjective perception of having an adequate income, and of retaining independence and control over one’s life: having good social relationships with family, friends and neighbours; having social roles and participating in social, voluntary, other leisure activities; having good health and functional ability; living in a good home and neighbourhood; having a positive outlook and psychological well-being; having adequate income; and maintaining independence and control over one’s life. The report recommends that people need to engage in social activities, and build up their support networks from young age so that they have a stock of such social resources in later life.