Examining Social Connections as a Link Between Religious Participation and Well-being Among Older Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 259-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe D. Wilmoth ◽  
Carolyn E. Adams-Price ◽  
Joshua J. Turner ◽  
Abigail D. Blaney ◽  
Laura Downey
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Religious Participation

scholarly journals RAISING OUR VOICES: THE BENEFITS OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL CHOIR FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S751-S752
Author(s):  
Debra J Sheets ◽  
Theresa A Allison
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
The Body ◽  
Social Intervention ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
People With Dementia

Abstract This interdisciplinary symposium focuses on the Voices in Motion (ViM) choir, a novel social intervention to address issues of stigma and social isolation among older adults with dementia and their caregivers. ViM is an intergenerational choir for community-dwelling older adults with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers. Local high school students participated in the choir and added to the lively social interactions. Two professionally directed ViM choirs were fully implemented in 2018-2019 with a public performance in the Fall and Spring seasons. This symposium brings together multiple methodologies to investigate the effects of choir participation on cognition, social connections, stigma, and quality of life for the dyads. Results in the individual papers demonstrate the positive impact of choir participation on dyads (n=26) for measures that includecognition (MacDonald), well-being and quality of life (Sheets), and social connections (Smith). Taken as a whole, the papers indicate that this social intervention offers an effective non- pharmacological alternative approach for older adults with dementia. Choir participation has important and significant impacts on psycho-social well-being and quality of life. The body of evidence presented points to the importance of intergenerational programs that are dementia-friendly and that support meaningful participation by older adults with dementia in the broader community. Discussion focuses on implications for social policy with attention on the replication and sustainability of the program.

In Their Own Words: How COVID-19 Has Impacted the Well-Being of Persons Living with Dementia in the Community

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Carrie McAiney ◽  
Emma Conway ◽  
Melissa Koch ◽  
Laura Middleton ◽  
Sherry Dupuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections

Abstract COVID-19 has had a devasting impact on older adults in Canada, including persons living with dementia. This intrinsic case study sought to understand the perceptions of persons living with dementia regarding how COVID-19 has impacted their well-being. Ten persons living with dementia participated in in-depth qualitative interviews about their experience with COVID-19. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (1) expressing current and future concerns; (2) social connections and isolation; (3) adapting to change and resilience through engagement and hope; and (4) we’re not all the same: reflecting individual experiences of the pandemic. Results highlight that while COVID-19 contributed to isolation, concerns, and frustrations, persons with dementia also demonstrated adaptation and resilience. This study reinforced that persons with dementia and their responses to challenges are unique. Therefore, interventions to support persons with dementia must also be individualized to each person’s abilities and circumstances.

scholarly journals Dealing With Loneliness Among LGBT Older Adults: Different Coping Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 516-517
Author(s):  
Natasha Peterson ◽  
Jeongeun Lee ◽  
Daniel Russell
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Social Discrimination ◽  
Time Usage ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) adults may be at risk for high levels of loneliness—a risk factor for worse health behaviors—as a result of historical and social discrimination. Some LGBT older adults may have estranged relationships with family members or have toxic relationships, consequently leaving them without adequate social support. The 2018 Loneliness and Social Connections survey by the AARP Foundation consists of a national sample of non-institutionalized individuals 45 and older, including 2905 individuals who identify as heterosexual and 318 who identify as LGBT. The study indicated individuals had similar levels of loneliness regardless of sexual orientation. However, significant differences between heterosexuals and LGBT participants were found in their communication and time usage when they are lonely. For example, heterosexual individuals socialize with friends in person more than homosexuals (t=-2.393, p<.05), whereas LGBT older adults use technology more to socialize with friends (t=3.749), p<.001. Further, findings revealed that older LGBT adults tend to engage in more risky or unhealthy behaviors when lonely than do heterosexual older adults (t=3.907, p<.001). Overall, the results indicate that while LGBT older adults may spend more time alone (t=7.350, p<.001), they are engaging in different types of activities, particularly involving technology to communicate with friends, suggesting compensation for their lack of in-person contact. By understanding how LGBT older adults cope with loneliness along with the risks and resources that have influences on their health disparities can be useful for developing interventions to improve the health and well-being in these communities.

scholarly journals Exploring the Effects of Arts Intervention Groups on Well-Being Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 29-29
Author(s):  
Emily Ihara ◽  
Kathryn McNeil ◽  
Adriana Lopez-Piper ◽  
Maxine Eber ◽  
Catherine Tompkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Conversation ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Engaging in the arts reportedly improves well-being, but research is limited on the specific effects for community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine how taking part in different arts interventions (dance & music), affects older adults’ overall well-being compared to a social conversation control group. Sixty-four participants (mean = 71 years old) participated twice weekly in a 10-week intervention that included ballroom dancing (n=23), ukulele playing (n=17), and social conversation (n=24). At the conclusion, three focus groups were held to assess participants’ experiences and subjective evaluation of the interventions’ impact. Twenty-two out of the sixty-four participants (dance= 8, ukulele = 6, social conversation = 8) took part in focus groups. Transcripts of the recorded focus groups were independently coded and compared. Common themes were agreed-upon by two researchers. Focus groups revealed positive outcomes for participants in all three groups. Several themes emerged across the intervention groups compared to the control group, including participants feeling challenged as they crossed their comfort zones, reporting increased confidence, enhanced social connections, and a sense of accomplishment when learning new skills. Community-dwelling older adults reported improved health-related outcomes after taking part in arts and social conversation sessions. Implementation of community-engaged arts intervention programs for older adults in the future may examine motivators which attract participants, foster positive social connections during sessions, and use participant-empowering pedagogical adaptations to retain participants. These factors can increase the efficacy of arts-engaged programs and help improve well-being in older adults.

A Novel Participant-Empowered Pedagogical Approach to Engage and Retain Control Group Participants in Arts-Based Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 104438942199735
Author(s):  
Holly C. Matto ◽  
Emily S. Ihara ◽  
Catherine Tompkins ◽  
Kathryn McNeil ◽  
Adriana Lopez-Piper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Social Conversation ◽  
Arts Programs ◽  
Ballroom Dance

The overall purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the effect of arts classes (ballroom dance and ukulele) on older adults’ well-being compared with a social conversation control group. This article describes a novel participant-empowered pedagogical approach to enhance control group retention and engagement. Sixty-four participants ( M = 71 years) participated twice weekly in a 10-week intervention that included ballroom dancing ( n = 23), ukulele playing ( n = 17), and social conversation ( n = 24). Focus group themes revealed participants felt challenged as they crossed their comfort zones, increased confidence, and enhanced social connections. Community-engaged arts programs for older adults should further examine mechanisms that foster positive social connections during sessions, paying special attention to the design of the control group condition in RCTs where competing arts-based intervention groups may be more desirable to participants.

scholarly journals How Do Music Activities Affect Health and Well-Being? A Scoping Review of Studies Examining Psychosocial Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve A. Dingle ◽  
Leah S. Sharman ◽  
Zoe Bauer ◽  
Emma Beckman ◽  
Mary Broughton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Processes ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Music Activities

Background: This scoping review analyzed research about how music activities may affect participants' health and well-being. Primary outcomes were measures of health (including symptoms and health behaviors) and well-being. Secondary measures included a range of psychosocial processes such as arousal, mood, social connection, physical activation or relaxation, cognitive functions, and identity. Diverse music activities were considered: receptive and intentional music listening; sharing music; instrument playing; group singing; lyrics and rapping; movement and dance; and songwriting, composition, and improvisation.Methods: Nine databases were searched with terms related to the eight music activities and the psychosocial variables of interest. Sixty-three papers met selection criteria, representing 6,975 participants of all ages, nationalities, and contexts.Results: Receptive and intentional music listening were found to reduce pain through changes in physiological arousal in some studies but not others. Shared music listening (e.g., concerts or radio programs) enhanced social connections and mood in older adults and in hospital patients. Music listening and carer singing decreased agitation and improved posture, movement, and well-being of people with dementia. Group singing supported cognitive health and well-being of older adults and those with mental health problems, lung disease, stroke, and dementia through its effects on cognitive functions, mood, and social connections. Playing a musical instrument was associated with improved cognitive health and well-being in school students, older adults, and people with mild brain injuries via effects on motor, cognitive and social processes. Dance and movement with music programs were associated with improved health and well-being in people with dementia, women with postnatal depression, and sedentary women with obesity through various cognitive, physical, and social processes. Rapping, songwriting, and composition helped the well-being of marginalized people through effects on social and cultural inclusion and connection, self-esteem and empowerment.Discussion: Music activities offer a rich and underutilized resource for health and well-being to participants of diverse ages, backgrounds, and settings. The review provides preliminary evidence that particular music activities may be recommended for specific psychosocial purposes and for specific health conditions.

scholarly journals Promoting Social Connection and Deepening Relations Among Older Adults: Design and Qualitative Evaluation of Media Parcels

10.2196/14112 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. e14112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Zaine ◽  
David Mark Frohlich ◽  
Kamila Rios Da Hora Rodrigues ◽  
Bruna Carolina Rodrigues Cunha ◽  
Alex Fernando Orlando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Friendship Group ◽  
Short Period

Background Being socially connected is related to well-being, and one way of avoiding social isolation is to deepen existing relationships. Even though existing relationships can be reinforced by regular and meaningful communication, state-of-the-art communication technologies alone do not increase the quality of social connections. Thus, there is a need for the involvement of a trained human facilitator in a network of older adults, preferably for a short period, to promote the deepening of their relationships. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that a human-facilitated, media-sharing social networking system can improve social connection in a small group of older people, who are more vulnerable to social isolation than most, and deepen their relationships over a period of a few weeks. Methods We conducted the design and evaluation of Media Parcels, a novel human-facilitated social networking system. Media Parcels is based on the metaphor of a facilitator collecting and delivering parcels in the physical mail. Extending the metaphor, the system supports a facilitator in designing time-based dialogue requesting parcels from participants that bring out their memories and feelings, in collecting the parcels, wrapping them in annotations that communicate the corresponding requests, and delivering the wrapped parcel to a target person. Qualitative evaluation was carried out in two trials with a group of three people each, one with family members (children and father; aged 55, 56, and 82 years old) and the other with a group of friends (aged 72, 72, and 74 years old), over two weeks. In each trial, data were collected in three interviews (pre-, mid-, and posttrial) and via system logging. Results Collected data indicate positive social effects for deepening and developing relationships. The parcel metaphor was easily understood and the computational system was readily adopted. Preferences with regard to media production or consumption varied among participants. In the family group, children preferred receiving media parcels (because of their sentimental value) to producing them, whereas the father enjoyed both. In the friendship group, preferences varied: one friend enjoyed both producing and receiving, while the other two preferred one over the other. In general, participants reported a preference for the production of items of a certain type depending on the associated content. Apart from having a strong engagement with the system, participants reported feeling closer to each other than usual. Conclusions For both groups, Media Parcels was effective in promoting media sharing and social connections, resulting in the deepening of existing relationships. Its design informs researchers who are attempting to promote social connection in older adults.

scholarly journals Promoting Social Connection and Deepening Relations Among Older Adults: Design and Qualitative Evaluation of Media Parcels (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Zaine ◽  
David Mark Frohlich ◽  
Kamila Rios Da Hora Rodrigues ◽  
Bruna Carolina Rodrigues Cunha ◽  
Alex Fernando Orlando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Friendship Group ◽  
Short Period

BACKGROUND Being socially connected is related to well-being, and one way of avoiding social isolation is to deepen existing relationships. Even though existing relationships can be reinforced by regular and meaningful communication, state-of-the-art communication technologies alone do not increase the quality of social connections. Thus, there is a need for the involvement of a trained human facilitator in a network of older adults, preferably for a short period, to promote the deepening of their relationships. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that a human-facilitated, media-sharing social networking system can improve social connection in a small group of older people, who are more vulnerable to social isolation than most, and deepen their relationships over a period of a few weeks. METHODS We conducted the design and evaluation of <italic>Media Parcels</italic>, a novel human-facilitated social networking system. <italic>Media Parcels</italic> is based on the metaphor of a facilitator collecting and delivering parcels in the physical mail. Extending the metaphor, the system supports a facilitator in designing time-based dialogue requesting parcels from participants that bring out their memories and feelings, in collecting the parcels, wrapping them in annotations that communicate the corresponding requests, and delivering the wrapped parcel to a target person. Qualitative evaluation was carried out in two trials with a group of three people each, one with family members (children and father; aged 55, 56, and 82 years old) and the other with a group of friends (aged 72, 72, and 74 years old), over two weeks. In each trial, data were collected in three interviews (pre-, mid-, and posttrial) and via system logging. RESULTS Collected data indicate positive social effects for deepening and developing relationships. The parcel metaphor was easily understood and the computational system was readily adopted. Preferences with regard to media production or consumption varied among participants. In the family group, children preferred receiving media parcels (because of their sentimental value) to producing them, whereas the father enjoyed both. In the friendship group, preferences varied: one friend enjoyed both producing and receiving, while the other two preferred one over the other. In general, participants reported a preference for the production of items of a certain type depending on the associated content. Apart from having a strong engagement with the system, participants reported feeling closer to each other than usual. CONCLUSIONS For both groups, <italic>Media Parcels</italic> was effective in promoting media sharing and social connections, resulting in the deepening of existing relationships. Its design informs researchers who are attempting to promote social connection in older adults.

scholarly journals Social Connections: Transformative Experiences Amid Disruptive Times

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 418-418
Author(s):  
Thomas Cudjoe
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Transformative Experiences ◽  
Stark Contrast ◽  
Research Agendas ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Today many older adults are experiencing intensified social isolation and loneliness as they attempt to “stay safe at home.” The notion, is a stark contrast from our understanding of the importance of social connections on health and well-being. This session highlights: first hand experiences caring for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications of social isolation on the health of older adults. The speaker will offer perspectives for ESPO members on the role of community engagement in orienting research agendas, both now (amid the pandemic) and into the future.

An Intentionally Designed Walking Program for Seniors Results in Enhanced Community Connection

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kellie Walters ◽  
Mary Marshall ◽  
Alexandra Nicole Wilkinson ◽  
Michael Duxx Natividad
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Group Activity ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Walking Program ◽  
Walking Programs

Social connection is vital for older adults’ physical and psychological well-being, yet nearly one third of them report feeling lonely. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a monthly walking program (walking once a month for 8 months) on older adults’ community connection. Older adults (Mage = 78.06 ± 5.98 years) completed a focus group at the completion of the program (n = 15). Qualitative findings indicate that participation in the walking program led to enhanced social connection. Researchers developed six major themes: (1) frequent and engaging walking programs, (2) benefits of group activity, (3) enhanced social connections, (4) connection to the community, (5) knowledge about transit, and (6) personal well-being, and 10 subthemes. Implications from this study highlight the importance of designing a walking program with older adults’ needs and desires in mind.

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