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

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.

scholarly journals SKILLS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY DURING AND AFTER DISASTERS TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SUPPORT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S391-S391
Author(s):  
Lisa M Brown
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Informal Social Support ◽  
Psychological Recovery ◽  
Traumatic Life Events ◽  
Social Support Systems

Abstract The combination of an aging population and a limited number of disaster responders reveals a need for trained laypeople who can implement interventions that facilitate recovery after traumatic events. Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) is an intervention that is designed to be implemented after use of Psychological First Aid with people who were exposed to a traumatic stressor. SPR uses a skills-building approach to promote self-efficacy, support resilience, strengthen social networks, and ameliorate the negative impact of traumatic life events. Strengthening social support is beneficial as research clearly demonstrates that destruction of communities and loss of informal social support networks produces long-term psychological distress for older adults. This presentation will demonstrate a SPR social support exercise with attendees, provide an overview of the other modules, and describe modifications for using SPR with older adults. During times of crisis, social support systems are critical to the psychological well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT ON PERSONS’ NEUROLOGICAL WELL-BEING:IMPLICATIONS FROM CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S817-S817
Author(s):  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Jing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Neuropsychological Disorders ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The impact of social determinants on health is well documented. Among them, social support has emerged as one of the most important old ideas being revisited from a new perspective. Social support refers to perceived supportive resources from an individual’s social engagement or social network. Recently, the concept of social support has become the subject of intense discussion, as it represents a mechanism by which interventions lead to health improvement. Neuropsychological disorders, on the other hand, represent a large burden on worldwide health. Research has shown that older adults with neurological conditions are embedded in social structures that may affect their outcomes, but not enough attention has been paid to the potential effect of social support on many neurological conditions. Using data collected from studies across cultures that have sought to understand neurological well-being worldwide, this symposium will present evidence of the relationship between social support and neurological conditions among older adults and explore how these mechanisms of social support extend the understanding of health disparities in old-age neurological wellbeing. A discussant will draw out common themes from these papers and connect them with the broader literature on the effect of social support on neurological well-being. We propose that social support constitutes an integral part of medical care for older adults with neurological conditions. This symposium will generate insights to help clinical practitioners more effectively design their social support interventions.

scholarly journals Shifts in Older Adults’ Social Support during Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 957-957
Author(s):  
Heather Fuller ◽  
Andrea Huseth-Zosel ◽  
Emily Sturn ◽  
Shawn Carlson ◽  
Brittany Hofmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Initial Shock ◽  
Great Health ◽  
Qualitative Responses ◽  
Social Support Systems ◽  
Over Time

Abstract In recent months, older adults have faced great health risks due to COVID-19, yet social distancing measures may also heighten risks to their social well-being. This mixed methods study explores changes in older adults’ social support satisfaction and interpersonal connections across the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Midwestern sample of 70 older adults aged 70-97 completed two phone interviews (April and June 2020) about their experiences with social distancing due to COVID-19. At both timepoints participants rated their satisfaction with social support and responded to open-ended questions about their interpersonal interactions, communication, and support in current daily life. Mean social support satisfaction significantly increased between the two interviews. Ensuing analysis of qualitative responses suggested this shift could reflect psychological adjustment to the circumstances or adaptation in methods of interpersonal connection over time. Emergent themes included: 1) increased family support and strain, 2) adaptable and flexible friendships, 3) isolation fatigue, and 4) communication through technology. Evaluation of change over time indicated divergent and shifting perceptions of social support as the pandemic endures. Findings suggest nuanced and diverse social support experiences amongst older adults, yet general patterns of initial shock to social support systems that subsided or adapted over time. Future research should build upon these findings to better understand older adults’ social support needs and seek to explore ways to best foster social connections during instances of forced social isolation or societal crises such as the current and ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Virtually Real, But Not Quite There: Social and Economic Barriers to Meeting Virtual Reality’s True Potential for Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Pimentel ◽  
Maxwell Foxman ◽  
Donna Z. Davis ◽  
David M. Markowitz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Remote Communication ◽  
Limited Effectiveness ◽  
Social Support Systems

Strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, namely quarantine and social distancing protocols, have exposed a troubling paradox: mandated isolation meant to preserve well-being has inadvertently contributed to its decline. Prolonged isolation has been associated with widespread loneliness and diminished mental health, with effects compounded by limited face-to-face access to clinical and social support systems. While remote communication technologies (e.g., video chat) can connect individuals with healthcare providers and social networks, remote technologies might have limited effectiveness in clinical and social contexts. In this review, we articulate the promise of Virtual Reality as a conduit to clinical resources and social connection. Furthermore, we outline various social and economic factors limiting the virtual reality industry’s ability to maximize its potential to address mental health issues brought upon by the pandemic. These barriers are delineated across five dimensions: sociocultural, content, affordability, supply chain, and equitable design. After examining potential short- and long-term solutions to these hurdles, we outline potential avenues for applied and theoretical research seeking to validate these solutions. Through this evaluation we seek to (a) emphasize virtual reality’s capacity to improve mental health by connecting communities to clinical and social support systems, (b) identify socioeconomic barriers preventing users from accessing these systems through virtual reality, and (c) discuss solutions that ensure these systems can be equitably accessed via changes to existing and future virtual reality infrastructures.

scholarly journals Social Engagement and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 343-343
Author(s):  
Abbey Hamlin ◽  
A Zarina Kraal ◽  
Laura Zahodne
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional

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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