THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORTING SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.

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The Role of Race in Relations of Social Support to Hippocampal Volumes Among Older Adults

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/01640275211017268 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 016402752110172

Author(s):

Desirée C. Bygrave ◽

Constance S. Gerassimakis ◽

Denée T. Mwendwa ◽

Guray Erus ◽

Christos Davatzikos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

African American ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Total Sample ◽

Hippocampal Volume ◽

Brain Pathology ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

African American Older Adults

Evidence suggests social support may buffer brain pathology. However, neither its association with hippocampal volume, a marker of Alzheimer’s disease risk, nor the role of race in this association has been fully investigated. Multiple regression analyses examined relations of total social support to magnetic resonance imaging-assessed gray matter (GM) hippocampal volumes in the total sample ( n = 165; mean age = 68.48 year), and in race-stratified models of African American and White older adults, adjusting for select covariates. Results showed greater social support was associated with greater GM hippocampal volumes among African American older adults only ( p < .01). Our findings suggest greater total social support may play a role in supporting the hippocampus, particularly among African American older adults, who had lower hippocampal volumes than their White counterparts. Further research is needed to test these questions longitudinally and examine which aspects of social support may promote hippocampal integrity, specifically.

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The mediating role of disability and social support in the association between low vision and depressive symptoms in older adults

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-013-0536-0 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 1039-1043 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Gertrudis I. J. M. Kempen ◽

Adelita V. Ranchor ◽

Ton Ambergen ◽

G. A. Rixt Zijlstra

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Low Vision ◽

Mediating Role

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The role of gender in the association of social capital, social support, and economic security with self-rated health among older adults in deprived communities in Beirut

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-012-0273-9 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 1371-1379 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Hiam Chemaitelly ◽

Caroline Kanaan ◽

Hind Beydoun ◽

Monique Chaaya ◽

Mona Kanaan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Capital ◽

Economic Security ◽

Capital Social ◽

Self Rated Health

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Social network members who engage in activities with older adults: do they bring more social benefits than other members?

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x17001490 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 1050-1069 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

SATO ASHIDA ◽

DANIEL K. SEWELL ◽

ELLEN J. SCHAFER ◽

AUDREY SCHROER ◽

JULIA FRIBERG

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Social Influence ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Social Engagement ◽

The United States ◽

Social Benefits ◽

Social Activities ◽

Generalised Linear Mixed Model

ABSTRACTActive participation in social activities is important for the wellbeing of older adults. This study explored benefits of active social engagement by evaluating whether relationships that comprise active involvement (e.g. co-engagement in activities) bring more social benefits (i.e. social support, companionship, positive social influence) than other relationships that do not involve co-engagement. A total of 133 adults ages 60 years and older living in a rural Midwestern city in the United States of America were interviewed once and provided information on 1,740 social network members. Among 1,506 social relationships in which interactions occurred at least once a month, 52 per cent involved engagement in social activities together and 35 per cent involved eating together regularly. Results of the generalised linear mixed model showed that relationships involving co-engagement were significantly more likely to also convey social support (i.e. emotional, instrumental, informational), companionship and social influence (encouragement for healthy behaviours) than relationships that do not involve co-engagement. Having more network members who provide companionship was associated with higher sense of environmental mastery, positive relations with others and satisfaction with social network. Interventions may focus on maintaining and developing such social relationships and ensuring the presence of social settings in which co-engagement can occur. Future research may explore whether increasing co-engagement leads to an enhanced sense of companionship and psychological wellbeing.

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The role of technology in supporting social engagement among older adults

Gerontechnology ◽

10.4017/gt.2018.17.s.030.00 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (s) ◽

pp. 30-30

Author(s):

S.J. CZAJA ◽

J. SHARIT ◽

W.A. ROGERS ◽

N. CHARNESS ◽

W.R. BOOT

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Engagement

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SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER AS A SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM FOR OLDER ADULTS IN NEPAL: AN ADAPTATION OF WESTERN CONCEPT

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3548 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S979-S979

Author(s):

Sabita Shrestha ◽

Tina Colson

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Family Support ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Support Systems ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Centers ◽

Geriatric Population ◽

Traditional Family ◽

Social Support Systems

Abstract Older adults around the world are living longer. Similarly, in Asian countries longevity of older adults have significantly altered the demographics shift as well as the cultural landscape and needs of the society. These changes have compounded with challenges and needs as a community grapples with how to best take care of aging population. Nepal, a developing country, is also faced with a similar demographic shift among the geriatric population. This shift has brought challenges and needs to communities such as health care, daily living needs, social support systems, economic needs, etc. The geriatric population will require social support systems as they age. Historically, older adults have relied on traditional family support systems for their care and needs maintaining cultural values and norms which may burden immediate or extended family members. Recently, traditional family structures along with social support systems are breaking away from their family trees due to community advancement and modernization, and many are leaving for better economic opportunities. This trend has left many older adults alone in social isolation. Despite challenges in the community, Nepal government doesn’t offer infrastructure for social engagement for older adults. One solution to prevent isolation and loneliness is to establish “senior community centers” (western based concept) for social engaging older adults. Based on ecological framework, this presentation proposes a need of “Senior Community Centers” for older adults where they can become involved in social engagements and receive social supports outside traditional family support systems; thus, optimizing their health and well-being.

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