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Effect of social networks and well-being on acute care needs
- Authors:
- SINTONEN Sanna, PEHKONEN Aini
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(1), 2014, pp.87-95.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The effect of social surroundings has been noted as an important component of the well-being of elderly people. A strong social network and strong and steady relationships are necessary for coping when illness or functional limitations occur in later life. Vulnerability can affect well-being and functioning particularly when sudden life changes occur. The objective of this study was to analyse how the determinants of social well-being affect individual acute care needs when sudden life changes occur. Empirical evidence was collected using a cross-sectional mail survey in Finland in January 2011 among individuals aged 55–79 years. The age-stratified random sample covered 3000 individuals, and the eventual response rate was 56% (1680). Complete responses were received from 1282 respondents (42.7%). The study focuses on the compactness of social networks, social disability, the stability of social relationships and the fear of loneliness as well as how these factors influence acute care needs. The measurement was based on a latent factor structure, and the key concepts were measured using two ordinal items. The results of the structural model suggest that the need for care is directly affected by social disability and the fear of loneliness. In addition, social disability is a determinant of the fear of loneliness and therefore plays an important role if sudden life changes occur. The compactness of social networks decreases social disability and partly diminishes the fear of loneliness and therefore has an indirect effect on the need for care. The stability of social relationships was influenced by the social networks and disability, but was an insignificant predictor of care needs. To conclude, social networks and well-being can decrease care needs, and supportive actions should be targeted to avoid loneliness and social isolation so that the informal network could be applied as an aspect of care-giving when acute life changes occur. (Publisher abstract)
Institutionalisation and subjective wellbeing for old-age individuals: is life really miserable in care homes?
- Authors:
- BÖCKERMAN Petri, JOHANSSON Edvard, SAARNI Samuli I.
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(7), October 2012, pp.1176-1192.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
As the Finish population ages at a greater rate than other European countries, the demand for long-term care will inevitably increase. This study examined whether there were systematic differences in the quality of life, depending on whether an individual is institutionalised or not, holding health status and income level constant. Data were drawn from a nationally representative data set, the Health 2000 in Finland, containing information on 8,028 people. When controlling for health and functional status, demographics and income level, it was found that individuals who were living in old-age homes reported significantly higher levels of subjective well-being than those who were living at home. The authors concluded that there were individuals living at home who are so frail that they should be living in an institution, but because of the queues for that particular mode of living, they were living at home with a decreased quality of life as a consequence.
Need for age- and memory-friendly housing environments is urgent!
- Author:
- RAPPE Erja
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Care and Caring, 4(2), 2020, pp.275-284.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
Countries are ageing globally, which has effects on both the individual and societal levels. Adjustments in the living environment of older people are often needed in order to enable a comfortable and independent everyday life for them. The housing environment is important for healthy and active ageing, which can support the physical, psychological and social well-being of older people. This article discusses global ageing and the challenges connected with it, the characteristics of age- and memory-friendly environments and housing, and how to develop these, providing examples of different housing solutions. (Publisher abstract)
Understanding the role of social capital for mental wellbeing among older adults
- Authors:
- FORSMAN A.K., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 33(5), 2013, pp.804-825.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Previous research applying quantifiable measurements has established significant positive associations between social capital and mental health in older adults. This study aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of the causal mechanisms of social capital affecting mental wellbeing among older people. The study is based on two independent qualitative data materials collected through two focus group interviews (one with six participants living in the community and the second with five partcipants in a nursing home) and an open-ended question included in a Finnish population-based postal survey. The findings indicate that informal social contacts such as family members and life-long relationships between friends impact the experienced mental wellbeing among older adults due to shared life events, social support, mutual appreciation and trust, as well as a sense of belonging through common social activities. Hence, this study challenges Putnam's idea of social capital as a collective concept focusing on formal contacts and the benefits on a collective level. In addition, the findings highlight the obstacles specific to older adults in maintaining social networks and participation, which should be considered in order to promote mental health in later life. (Edited publisher abstract)