Supports and limitations of aging in a rural place for women aged 85 and older

2021 ◽  
pp. 171-188
Author(s):  
Olive Bryanton ◽  
Lori E. Weeks ◽  
William Montelpare
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural Environment ◽  
Atlantic Canada ◽  
Geographical Distance ◽  
Aging Women ◽  
Rural Place

This chapter discusses women over the age of 85 years that live in a rural environment, such as that of Atlantic Canada, which are often considered to be an invisible cohort. It explains the invisibility of women that is primarily due to social isolation which occurs when older adults lose members of their social networks, including friends and family. It also analyzes the issue with aging women that is compounded by living in rural areas since geographical distance from others and lower populations pose additional challenges to daily social interaction. The chapter emphasizes the important of recognizing that women comprise a larger proportion of older adults because they are more likely to live longer. It points out how the imbalance in population will have serious sociodemographic impacts as women will have higher levels of frailty, depression, and widowhood while having less education.

scholarly journals Social Distancing vs Social Interaction for Older Adults at Long-Term Care Facilities in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review and Synthesis of Action Plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110442
Author(s):  
Farhana Ferdous
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Care Facilities

The present study aimed to systematically analyze the impact of COVID-19-related social distancing requirements on older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and to synthesize the literature into thematic action plans to minimize the adverse effects of social isolation. The search included articles published between December 2019 and August 2020 across four databases. The inclusion criteria were used to screen for studies that reported on social isolation and loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults living in LTCFs. This rapid review identified 29 relevant studies and synthesized them into four thematic action plans: technological advancement, remote communication, therapeutic care/stress management, and preventive measures. These thematic action plans and cost-effective strategies can be immediately adopted and used as a resource for all LTCF administrators, healthcare design professionals, and researchers in battling current COVID-19-related issues, and improving social interaction in older adults living in care facilities.

scholarly journals Social Network Characteristics Predict Loneliness in Older Adults

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Hairin Kim ◽  
Seyul Kwak ◽  
Yoosik Youm ◽  
Jeanyung Chey
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Critical Pathway ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Working Status

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Social isolation is detrimental to late-life health outcomes. Although objective social isolation is a major source of perceived loneliness, how different layers of social disconnection systematically constitute the subjective experience of loneliness remains unclear. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study focused on older adults who participated in the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP) (<i>n</i> = 1,724; mean age = 72.91 years) and examined how the proximal and distal characteristics of social networks predict loneliness using a hierarchical linear regression model. The study also investigated whether the major loss of social roles (marital and working status) influences perceived loneliness through the proximal and distal aspects of social networks by cross-sectional mediation analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> This study found that the proximal (subjective number of connections) and distal (brokerage and embeddedness) aspects of social networks additively explained the frequency of loneliness. Moreover, the loss of late-life social roles (marital and working status) was related to an increase in loneliness, where the distal characteristic of social networks mediated this relationship. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> The results of this study suggest that the proximal and the distal characteristic of social networks is a social determinant predicting loneliness in late life. Besides, the loss of bridging and cohesive position among community networks may be a critical pathway to psychosocial transition after marital and working status changes.

scholarly journals Government and University Partner for Virtual Service-Learning to Support Intergenerational Social Interaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 366-366
Author(s):  
Martha Kemeny ◽  
Adelle Williams ◽  
Stephanie Cole
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Pre-pandemic, evidence existed that intergenerational service-learning programs support knowledge of aging and positive attitudes and perceptions (Monahan et al., 2020). As spring 2020 COVID-19 lock downs and public health warnings urged physical distancing of community dwelling older adults, growing concern about the unintended consequences of increased social isolation on mental and physical health prompted the Secretary’s Office of Pennsylvania Department of Aging to design a pilot project with university faculty for virtual intergenerational social interaction. The Department identified older adults at the highest risk for social isolation (live alone, in poverty, with a disability). The resulting pilot project is fully integrated as a high impact practice into eight sections of recreational therapy and gerontology courses with participation by 210 undergraduate students and 210 older adults for 9 weeks of both the fall and spring semesters. Students, who received extensive classroom instruction aimed at avoiding negative stereotypes of older adults as helpless and dependent, called their assigned partner several times a week for at least an hour of communication. Using the UCLA loneliness scale, community-dwelling older adults reported frustration with isolation due to the pandemic. Those with low and moderate loneliness reported positive feelings about program and looking forward to interactions with students. Students gained virtual communication skills that may contribute to telehealth competencies, intervention skills such as assessment, life review/reminiscence, mindfulness techniques, and leisure education. Moreover, an analysis of student reflections revealed positive changes in attitudes toward older adults and the ability to enjoy common interests despite age differences.

scholarly journals ADDRESSING OLDER ADULT SOCIAL ISOLATION AND ABUSE THROUGH RURAL OUTREACH AND INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL COLLABORATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S59-S59
Author(s):  
Naomi R Meinertz ◽  
Megan Gilligan ◽  
Jeongeun Lee ◽  
Louise Peitz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Organizational Collaboration

Abstract Elder abuse is commonly linked with social isolation and in a rural state, such as Iowa, older adults may be at increased risk of social isolation and elder abuse. A community-based needs assessment aimed to record the first-hand perspectives of service providers regarding the needs of older adults in rural areas across the state of Iowa, covering 54 of the 99 counties. Through a survey (N=202) and focus groups (N=24), service providers, including direct care, Area Agencies on Aging, law enforcement, and attorneys, offered ways in which to address the gaps in service provision and prevention of elder abuse. Based on survey and focus groups, suggestions included ways to decrease social isolation among older adults by improving service outreach, provider training, and inter-organization communication. Discussion will outline gaps in service outreach and address future inter-organizational collaboration and strategies to prevent social isolation and elder abuse in rural communities.

scholarly journals I-CONECT PROJECT: CAN SOCIAL INTERACTION IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS AMONG SOCIALLY ISOLATED OLDER ADULTS?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S224-S224
Author(s):  
Hiroko H Dodge ◽  
Karen Hooker ◽  
Toni C Antonucci
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Intervention Trials

Abstract Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that larger social networks or more frequent social interactions may have protective effects against cognitive decline and the incidence of dementia. Therefore, increasing social interaction could be a promising intervention for improving cognitive well-being in socially isolated older adults. We have conducted multiple NIH-funded randomized controlled trials (RCT) over 10 years, examining whether conversational interactions through webcam and internet can improve cognitive functions and enhance cognitive reserve. In this symposium, we will introduce this series of behavioral intervention trials through 4 presentations. First, Dodge will provide background and results of their previous RCT where they showed efficacy of conversational intervention on domain-specific cognitive functions and introduce the ongoing larger project called I-CONECT (https://www.i-conect.org). Second, Lindsey will introduce technological innovations used in the I-CONECT project including development of user-friendly video-chat devices, recording of audio and video data and innovative recruitment efforts. Third, Asgari will share results on how speech utterance and characteristics collected through the project could distinguish those with mild cognitive impairment from those with normal cognition using machine learning modelling approaches. Finally, Cerino and his team will show results of the study which examined whether cognitive improvements through conversation-based intervention depend on an individual’s personality, laying the groundwork for a personalized intervention trial in the future. The symposium is of interest for those who study social isolation and its prevention, the link among cognition, social isolation and personality, as well as those who focus on technology as a tool for improving well-being of older adults.

From Social Integration to Social Isolation: The Relationship Between Social Network Types and Perceived Availability of Social Support in a National Sample of Older Canadians

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 715-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Harasemiw ◽  
Nancy Newall ◽  
Shahin Shooshtari ◽  
Corey Mackenzie ◽  
Verena Menec
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Perceived Availability ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Well Being

It is well-documented that social isolation is detrimental to health and well-being. What is less clear is what types of social networks allow older adults to get the social support they need to promote health and well-being. In this study, we identified social network types in a national sample of older Canadians and explored whether they are associated with perceived availability of different types of social support (affectionate, emotional, or tangible, and positive social interactions). Data were drawn from the baseline questionnaire of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging for participants aged 65–85 (unweighted n = 8,782). Cluster analyses revealed six social network groups. Social support generally declined as social networks became more restricted; however, different patterns of social support availability emerged for different social network groups. These findings suggest that certain types of social networks place older adults at risk of not having met specific social support needs.

scholarly journals Social Isolation and Cognitive Function: Evidence From Older Chinese Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 504-504
Author(s):  
Dexia Kong ◽  
Ying-Yu Chao ◽  
Fengyan Tang ◽  
XinQi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Chinese Americans ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Older Chinese Americans

Abstract Chinese older adults are particularly vulnerable to social isolation due to various barriers they face in developing/maintaining social networks (i.e. limited English proficiency and transportation barriers) in the U.S. However, the prevalence of social isolation and its potential health consequences in this rapidly growing minority aging population remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, the current study examines the prevalence of social isolation, and the relationship between social isolation and cognitive function among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data were obtained from the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago collected between 2011 and 2013 (N=3,157). A four-item index (including living alone, not married, lack of confidant, and low participation in social activities) was constructed to assess social isolation (range: 0 to 4, a score of ≥2 was used to identify individuals who were most isolated). Cognitive function was measured by five validated instruments (range: -2.8 to 2.0). Nearly 22% of the sample were socially isolated. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that social isolation accounted for 44% of variance in global cognitive functioning. Chinese older adults with greater levels of social isolation had poorer overall cognitive function (B= -0.05, SE=0.01, p=0.001). Study findings highlight the importance of addressing social isolation in cognitive aging among older Chinese Americans. Culturally tailored interventions facilitating the development of supportive social networks/ support have the potential to mitigate cognitive decline in this population. Future longitudinal studies need to elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between social isolation and cognitive function. Practice implications will be discussed.

scholarly journals Loneliness and Social Connectedness Among Rural Older Adults Since the COVID-19 Pandemic Onset

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 579-579
Author(s):  
Gabriella Meltzer ◽  
Lindsay Kobayashi ◽  
Jessica Finlay ◽  
Carrie Henning-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Rural Older Adults

Abstract Rural areas have a higher proportion of older adults aging in place. Rural areas also face structural barriers to supporting social connectedness among older adults, including transportation barriers, greater geographic distances, and access to technological connectivity. This research aims to discuss rural-specific risks of loneliness and social isolation among older adults, as well as rural/urban differences in loneliness and social isolation among older adults using the national COVID-19 Coping Study. Cross-sectional bivariate analyses highlight rural/urban differences in social activities during the pandemic. For example, rural older adults were more likely to use social media daily, compared with urban older adults (67% vs. 61%, p&lt;0.05), but were less likely to have phone or video calls with others daily (21% vs. 26%, p&lt;0.001). We will also share results of differences within rural older adults in loneliness, isolation, and social activities by socio-demographic characteristics in order to design targeted interventions to improve connectedness.

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