Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 18
The importance of the size of the social network and residential proximity in the reception of informal care in the European Union
- Authors:
- RODRIGUEZ Mercedes, RECOVER M. Angeles Minguela, BALLESTA Jose A. Camacho
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 21(5), 2018, pp.653-664.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper explores which factors affect the reception of informal care among those dependent people aged 65 and over in Europe, starting from the so-called Behavioural Model of Health Service Use introduced by Andersen. The data employed are drawn from the fourth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement. The final sample consists of a total of 17,284 older dependent people of which 4529 (26.2%) received informal care. The main novelty is the incorporation of different characteristics of the social network of the individual (presence of children, size and residential proximity) among the factors that enable the reception of informal care. In particular the two latter aspects are combined in one sole indicator of distance to the social network. In addition to ‘traditional factors’ like age or degree of dependency, all the characteristics of the social network are found to influence the likelihood of receiving informal care. This reveals the need for taking into consideration the role played by social networks when governments design care programmes, especially in the current scenario of rising demand for care. (Publisher abstract)
The role of social networks in using home care by older people across Continental Europe
- Authors:
- FERNANDEZ-CARRO Celia, VLACHANTONI Athina
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(4), 2019, pp.936-952.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using a sample of 37,708 individuals aged 65 and over from Wave 6 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), this study examines to what extent the characteristics of older people's social networks predict the use of three types of home care; formal, informal, or combined, exploring the cross‐European convergences and divergences. Binomial logistic regressions are conducted to compare four macro‐regions in continental Europe (northern countries: Denmark and Sweden; western countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg; southern countries: Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal; and eastern countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia, and Croatia). The structure, availability, and accessibility to the members of the social network are the major predictors of the receipt of informal care everywhere. Regional divergences are observed regarding to formal care, alone or combined with informal caregivers. (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 arrangement and cognitive decline among older people in Europe
- Authors:
- MAZZUCO Stefano, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(6), 2017, pp.1111-1133.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Family resources may play an important role in the wellbeing of older people. In this paper, the authors examine the association between living arrangement and cognitive decline among people over 65 living in different European countries. The underlined hypothesis is that living with others (i.e. spouse or/and children) vis-à-vis living alone may have a positive role in maintaining cognitive functioning, but also that such beneficial influence varies according to the circumstances. To this end, the authors used data from the first two waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which provides indicators of several cognitive functions: orientation, immediate recall, delayed recall, verbal fluency and numeracy. Net of both the potential biases due to the selective attrition and the re-test effects, the evidence shows that the association between living arrangement and cognitive decline depends on the geographical area and on the starting level of cognitive function. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social and functional health of home care clients with different levels of cognitive impairments
- Authors:
- GARMS-HOMOLOVA Vjenka, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(1), 2017, pp.18-23.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: The ability to manage one's life with some degree of independence, to fulfill basic obligations, and to participate in social activities are social functions that delineate the core of ‘social health’. This study examines to what extent clients of community care in Europe (n = 2884) complete such activities despite their cognitive problems. It focuses on mildly and moderately impaired people, aged 65+ years. Methods: Data were collected using the interRAI HC-Assessment in IBenC-project. The association between participants' capacity and performance was tested in three LADLs (instrumental activities of daily living) and their cognitive performance and specific memory problems. Results: About 30 % of home care clients in Europe suffer from mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment. Their relatively independent coping with requirements of routine activities is strongly determined by overall cognitive performance. Specific memory functions seem unimportant, except for procedural memory. It is striking that all clients, and particularly those with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment, interact mostly with close relatives and friends. Mild-to-moderate cognitive limitations do not hinder clients from coping semi-independently with routine requirements. Discussion: When considering the influence of cognitive function on clients' capacity and performance in everyday activities and social relations, a comprehensive construct of cognitive function has to be applied. (Edited publisher abstract)
The effect of social participation on the subjective and objective health status of the over-fifties: evidence from SHARE
- Authors:
- LEONE Tiziana, HESSLE Philipp
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 36(5), 2016, pp.968-987.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The aim of this study is to analyse how changes in social participation affect both the subjective and objective health of older Europeans as well as how changes in health status affect social participation. Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the results suggest that both the uptake as well as the continuation of social activities increase the chances of improvements in subjective as well as objective health. Furthermore, improvements in self-rated health as well as grip strength significantly increase the chances of taking up new activities as well as continuing with existing ones. Country effect is not as strong as expected and the benefits could be homogeneous across different cultures once we control for socio-economic status. Overall, the results stress the need for taking into account the reciprocal relationship between social participation and health. The paper highlights the importance of focusing on both uptake and continuation of social participation when devising policy aimed at improving healthy ageing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social networks and subjective wellbeing among older Europeans: does age make a difference?
- Authors:
- LITWIN Howard, STOECKEL Kimberly J.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 33(7), 2013, pp.1263-1281.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This inquiry examined whether social networks are associated with wellbeing among older-old people in the same way that they are among younger-old persons. The study focused on family respondents, aged 60 and older, from the second wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (N=14,728). The statistical analysis regressed two wellbeing measures (the CASP quality of life scale and life satisfaction) on a range of social network variables from three domains: family structure and interaction, social exchange and social engagement. In addition, the inquiry viewed these associations through the lens of age-based interaction terms, controlling for background characteristics, health status and region. The analysis revealed that the associations between subjective wellbeing and social network vary according to age. Among younger-old respondents, aged 60–79, more significant associations were found between social network variables and wellbeing outcomes in comparison to older-old respondents, aged 80 or older. Differences between age groups also emerged with the direction of the associations between social network variables and subjective wellbeing. The study results reveal that social networks do matter in very old age, but not in the same way as among younger-old persons. This finding is one indication of the differences that may emerge between third-age adults and those approaching the fourth age. (Publisher abstract)
Aging in European societies: healthy aging in Europe
- Authors:
- CONSTANTINOS Phellas, (ed.)
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 285p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Between longer life expectancies and declining birth rates, Europe’s elder population is growing into a sizable minority with considerable impact on health systems, and economies. Those investing in the health of older adults need a double perspective: the social and clinical complexity of aging and the larger forces shaping these experiences. This book examines aging trends across the continent, analysing individual and collective variables that affect the lives of older adults, and drawing salient comparisons with other parts of the world. An interdisciplinary panel of experts provides theory, research, and empirical findings in key areas such as family and social supports, physical and cognitive changes, dependence and autonomy issues, and living arrangements. Sections include: the potential for technology to improve elders’ quality of life; dementia and quality of life issues. changes in functional ability with aging and over time; family networks and supports in older age; and factors influencing inequalities in quality of life.
Determinants of obtaining formal and informal LTC across European countries
- Authors:
- STYCZYNSKA Izabela, SOWA Agnieszka
- Publisher:
- Center for Social and Economic Research
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 35p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Warsaw
The aim of this study was to identify patterns of utilisation of formal and informal long term care (LTC) across European countries and discuss possible determinants of demand for different types of care. Specifically, the research attempts to measure the volume of different types of care in European countries and the conditions under which different types of care are obtained. The conditions include demographic factors, especially aging of the society, health status and limitations caused by poor health, family settings and social networking. The analysis is provided across all European countries separated into 4 clusters. Estimates of the probability of obtaining formal care are based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) data for 2006. The analysis reveals substantial differences in obtaining LTC across European countries depending on the tradition and social protection model that determine availability of institutional care and provision of informal care. In the Nordic-type countries with high state responsibility and high provision of institutional care, informal care is of less importance and, if received, is mostly care provided on a irregular basis from outside the family. Countries of the continental Europe are less unified with high share of people using formal settings of care, but also combining formal and informal care. In Mediterranean countries, provision of informal care, including personal care, plays a much greater role than formal LTC.
The social connectedness of older Europeans: patterns, dynamics and contexts
- Authors:
- KOHLI Martin, HANK Karsten, KUNEMUND Harald
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of European Social Policy, 19(4), October 2009, pp.327-340.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Maintaining social connectedness through the transitions of later life, with their potential for isolation, is an important prerequisite for successful ageing. Social relationships have been shown to buffer the effects of spousal bereavement, to reduce mortality risks, and to serve as a social protection mechanism. This study used longitudinal data from the first 2 waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to show that Europe’s population aged 50 or older is socially connected in several ways. Roughly one-third of the respondents reported having some kind of formal social relationships, more than one-tenth provided or received informal social support, and two-thirds exchanged functional support with family members outside their household. The various dimensions of social connectedness turned out to be complementary rather than subjective, except for the relationship between informal social relations and family relations which tended to be characterised by substitution. This analysis revealed that the dynamics of formal and informal social relations as well as family relations tended to be driven by individuals’ resources and need. While the associations between elders’ social connectedness and individual characteristics were very similar across countries, there were significant regional variation regarding the levels and the dynamics of social connectedness.