scholarly journals "It Is Not Good For Man To Be Alone" The Struggle against Loneliness in Old Age: Basic Assumptions for an Integrative Operational Concept –The Israeli Case

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Avi Bitzur ◽  
Eran Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Comprehensive Plan ◽  
Limited Scale ◽  
Operational Concept

The widespread expression saying that "loneliness is the No. 1 enemy of old age" has, in the 21st century, becomes obvious and banal now that suicide rates among the elderly in many countries and in Israel, the case study for this paper, is higher than among other age groups in those countries.Loneliness itself, its ramifications, consequences, and implications on the lives of the elderly have made it a dominant factor in terms of its potential damage.Old age and loneliness have been the subjects of many different definitions, studies and theories, but despite the quantity and quality of these attempts worldwide, and particularly in Israeli research, there is a conspicuous lack of any comprehensive plan that would address the implications and destructive effects of the loneliness experienced by the elderly. Many limited-scale programs exist on a local level, but they fail to address the clear need to eradicate menacing loneliness.The authors of this essay plan to outline basic principles for designing an operational concept for a national plan to combat the consequences and effects of depression among the elderly, using Israel as an example.This paper will begin with a review of the definitions and literature on the phenomenon of depression, and a review of the literature dealing with the unhealthy connection between old age and depression. We will then review various programs worldwide that deal with the phenomenon of loneliness and old age; continue to present data on the effects of loneliness on elderly Israelis; present various Israeli programs and projects that attempt to deal with this phenomenon; and conclude by detailing the proposed principles for a comprehensive operational approach that maps out this painful phenomenon in Israel and proposes a plan of action on how to best deal with it.

Ageing, Meaning and the Allocation of Resources

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry R. Moody
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Ageing Society ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Productive Ageing

ABSTRACTDifferent scenarios for an ageing society presume different approaches to the meaning of old age. One scenario anticipates a Prolongation of Morbidity, where quality of life concerns might permit active euthanasia or suicide as a means of saving money. Those who believe in a Compression of Morbidity opt for health promotion to delay morbidity in favour of productive ageing. Optimists look to a scenario of Lifespan Extension, where scarce health resources are not expended for incremental gains in life expectancy but rather for basic research to postpone or eliminate ageing. Finally, those who emphasize Voluntary Acceptance of Limits identify the meaning of old age with voluntary acceptance of finitude, where claims of future generations might limit longevity for any one generation. Thus, contrasting meanings such as quality of life, productive ageing, indefinite survival and voluntary limits entail very different consequences for the allocation of scarce resources across age-groups and among sub-groups of the elderly population.

Provision of public services by Slovak local governments - Case study social protection – old age: A supply demand mismatch?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Černěnko ◽  
Klaudia Glittová
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Provision Of Services

The aim of the paper is to describe the supply of public services in the field of social protection - old age (represented by expenditures in group 10, class 2 of COFOG classification) in relation to the demand for these services represented by the population in the age group 62+ related to the size and region of the local government unit. The analysis of supply and demand takes place at the level of individual local governments and the results are then presented in relation to the size of the municipality and the region. Two approaches were used for the analysis. The first focuses on the description of the current situation through the categorization of local governments according to the approach to the provision of services, and the second consists in regression analysis. The results of the regression analysis suggest that the size of the municipality and the region do not play as important a role in terms of access to the provision of the examined services as indicated by the first, descriptive analysis. To find a "pattern" for local authorities to decide on access to services for the elderly, further research will be needed that takes into account several socio-economic indicators.

scholarly journals The Effects of Gentrification on the Elderly: A Case Study in the City of Cáceres

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Lidia Domínguez-Parraga
Keyword(s):  
Social Space ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

This study aims to analyze the consequences of the gentrification process as a result of tourism on the elderly inhabitants. Firstly, the concept of gentrification is reviewed, a process that is no longer exclusive to large cities but has spread to smaller and lesser-known municipalities. A clear example of this type of new tourist destination is the city of Cáceres, a World Heritage medium-sized city where tourism is the basis of its economy. The research considers gentrification in medium-sized cities and its effect on active aging. Based on a qualitative methodological approach, a total of 32 in-depth interviews were conducted and analyzed to compare two neighborhoods—one gentrified and one not. The results show a remarkable disparity in the residents’ perceptions of their environment and their city. The findings suggest adverse effects on the quality of aging due to the gentrification process, such as family dependency, social-space disconnection, and a generally pessimistic image of the neighborhood. Consequently, the impact of tourism negatively affects the gentrified neighborhood inhabitants’ psychological, social, and emotional well-being.

Perception on service quality in old age homes: a qualitative study in Karachi, Pakistan

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Samina Vertejee ◽  
Saleema Allana ◽  
Rozina Somani ◽  
Saher Aijaz
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Community Support ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Old Age Homes

Abstract Objectives: The growing number of older people due to demographic transition is paving the way for non-governmental organizations and the private sector for mushrooming of old age homes (OAHs). These homes function either free or fee for services, and the services provided at these OAHs determines the quality of life of older people. The aim of the study was to explore the stakeholders’ perception on the quality of services offered to people living in OAHs. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study design was used to explore stakeholders’ perception of elderly living experiences in old age homes. Three OAH were selected through purposive sampling for the study. Data collected from February –March 2015 through the structured interview guide. Participants’ for FGDs were recruited through universal sampling, while purposive sampling was used for KIIs selection. Researcher ensured all ethical considerations for entire study period. Results: Two major themes were drawn including the reasons and experiences of older people living in OAH, secondly the need for caregivers’ academic competencies. Majority of KIIs and FGDs reported common responses under the two themes. Also the elderly experiences varied from living comfortable to being depressed. KIIs and caregivers’ FGD participants’ strongly urged the need for caregivers’ training and institutional accreditation. Conclusion: In conclusion, the older people experiences challenges of living in OAHs, therefore the study findings strongly proposes community support system and credentialing of the caregivers for age appropriate care. Continuous...  

The ‘elected’ and the ‘excluded’: sociological perspectives on the experience of place and community in old age

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRIS PHILLIPSON
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Social Divisions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Attachments

This article explores various issues concerned with belonging and identity in the context of community change and residential location. It examines the changing nature of community attachments in later life, and their impacts on the quality of old age lives. It also notes the increased importance of environmental perspectives within gerontology, not least because environments are being transformed through the diverse social, cultural and economic changes associated with globalisation. The argument is developed that globalisation offers a new approach to thinking about community and environmental relationships in later life, and that the impact of global change at a local level has become an important dimension of sociological aspects of community change. It is argued that it is especially important to apply these perspectives to older people, given that many have resided in the same locality for long periods. At the same time, globalisation also gives rise to new types of movement in old age, and is constructing an expanding mix of spaces, communities and lifestyle settings. A key argument of the article, however, is that global processes are generating new social divisions, as between those able to choose residential locations consistent with their biographies and life histories, and those who experience rejection or marginalisation from their locality.

Radiofrequency exposure in young and old: different sensitivities in light of age-relevant natural differences

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Redmayne ◽  
Olle Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Population Means ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Comparative Risk

AbstractOur environment is now permeated by anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, and individuals of all ages are exposed for most of each 24 h period from transmitting devices. Despite claims that children are more likely to be vulnerable than healthy adults to unwanted effects of this exposure, there has been no recent examination of this, nor of comparative risk to the elderly or ill. We sought to clarify whether research supports the claim of increased risk in specific age-groups. First, we identified the literature which has explored age-specific pathophysiological impacts of RF-EMR. Natural life-span changes relevant to these different impacts provides context for our review of the selected literature, followed by discussion of health and well-being implications. We conclude that age-dependent RF-EMR study results, when considered in the context of developmental stage, indicate increased specific vulnerabilities in the young (fetus to adolescent), the elderly, and those with cancer. There appears to be at least one mechanism other than the known thermal mechanism causing different responses to RF-EMR depending upon the exposure parameters, the cell/physiological process involved, and according to age and health status. As well as personal health and quality-of-life impacts, an ageing population means there are economic implications for public health and policy.

The Role of Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Treatment of Depressive Illness in Old Age

1989 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Benbow
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Electrode Placement ◽  
Physical Problems ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Old Age Psychiatry ◽  
Temporary Memory

Electroconvulsive therapy is an important treatment in the depressive states of late life, and there is general agreement about the indications for its use in old age psychiatry. Indeed, old age may be associated with a better response to ECT than that in younger age groups. The additional risk involved through physical problems in the elderly is not great when compared with that of continuing depression and of the side-effects of alternative treatments. Temporary memory disorders and confusion may occur, but are minimised if unilateral electrode placement is used. Some patients treated with unilateral ECT do not respond, but will respond to bilateral treatment. Anxiety over unwanted treatment effects, which can lead to ineffective treatment of depressive illness, must be outweighed by knowledge of the dangers of leaving depression untreated in old age.

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