scholarly journals At the Crossroads of Life: Belgraders’ Perceptions of Their Old Age

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 57-74
Author(s):  
Senka Kovač

The paper presents the results of several years’ fieldwork among the elderly population in Belgrade. The study examines the attitudes towards old age of elderly Belgraders living alone, those living with their families, and also those living in the Gerontology Center nursing home. The position of elderly people in the social network in the Belgrade municipality of Vračar is also explored. In this era of longevity and at a time of global economic crisis which is also affecting Serbia, it would be useful to reconsider the concepts of successful aging, well-aging and healthy aging.

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-416
Author(s):  
Joo Young Kim ◽  
Young Ook Kim

This study aimed to investigate the association of spatial configuration with social interaction for elderly. A social housing in Seoul was selected for the case study. Using space syntax and social network analysis, the association was examined statistically. This research employed an integration indicator which is most closely related to space use pattern. Questionnaire and interview surveys were conducted to illustrate the pattern of social network. Using the collected data, NetMiner was utilized to conduct a quantitative analysis. Degree, closeness and betweenness indicators were employed to measure relationships in these networks and between individuals. The characteristics of the association established by the statistical analysis between spatial network of housing estate and social network of elderly were discussed. Our results show that spatial network properties can explain characteristics of social network. The accessibility of residential spaces for elderly individuals in social housing apartment complex has an effect on the strength of the social network with neighbours. Also, analysis of the spatial configuration accessibility for the elderly population with integration values has illustrated that the result was opposite to the general theory that ‘the locations with high accessibility could foster more interactions’. Our findings have suggested that we can have a better knowledge to foster more social network among elderly by planning improved spatial network.


Author(s):  
Didem Demir Erbil ◽  
Oya Hazer

This study was carried out to examine the variables affecting the social networks of the elderly. A simple random sampling method was used as a data collection method in the research. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The participants of the study are 500 individuals aged 60 and over from members of the Ankara branch of the Turkish Pensioners Association. According to the results of the study, there is a considerable negative correlation between social network and depression (r=-0.40, p =0.001) and loneliness (r=-0.49, p =0.001). Also, social loneliness and depression is the stronger negative predictor of the social network. Moreover, there is a considerable positive correlation between social network and perceived available support (r=-0.52, p =0.001). In addition, there is a moderate positive correlation between social network and successful aging behavior (r=-0.30, p =0.001) and life satisfaction (r=-0.35, p =0.001).


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wina Nurdini Kodaruddin ◽  
Sri Sulastri ◽  
Hery Wibowo

AbstractBased on Central Java Governor Regulation No. 31/2018, the Bojongbata Nursing Home used to providing social services for the elderly. Unfortunately, Bojongbata Nursing Home does not have a special instrument for assessing the elderly's social function. The social function assessment usually used maps of social network and list of questions related to the elderly social relationships. However, this instrument has not been able to thoroughly explore the conditions, problems and needs of the elderly. In fact, an in-depth assessment of social functioning affects the determination of appropriate interventions and helps social workers analyze the conditions and service needs of the elderly. This study aims to identify the social functioning of the elderly through the aspects of Social Resources, Social Activities, Social Networking, Social Support, and Social Role and Role Functioning. This study analyzed several elderly informants with the aim of identifying their social functioning based on potential and non-potential groups. This is done to find differences in the conditions and needs of the two. The results of this study indicate that Levin assessment theory can describe the social functioning of the elderly. There is a relationship between aspects in realizing the better social functioning of the elderly. Elderly who can make good use of social resources and have adequate social activities have a wider and stronger social network. This social network can provide the social support needed by the elderly in carrying out their social roles properly.


2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aideen Freyne ◽  
Sabina Fahy ◽  
Angela McAleer ◽  
Fiona Keogh ◽  
Margo Wrigley

AbstractObjectives: To ascertain the relationship between social network type and depression over time.Method: A longitudinal outcome study of depressed elderly patients attending an old age psychiatric service was carried out. Subjects were seen at baseline and regular intervals over two years.Results: Depression severity at baseline and at follow-up times differed according to subjects' social network. Those with more socially integrated networks had the best outcome and those who had more dependent networks had a poorer outcome. There was a lot of movement between networks over time for subjects, with many moving towards more dependent networks.Conclusions: When treating depression in the elderly it is important to consider the social network and milieu in which the patient resides. Treatments should include strategies encouraging the maintenance and formation of social integration.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Martins Pinto ◽  
Anita Liberalesso Neri

Abstract Objective: the present study aimed to identify patterns of social participation in old age and the theories used to explain them. Method: A systematic review was performed using the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE / PUBMED), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) and Web of Science (ISI Web of Knowledge) databases. The keywords used were: social participation, social engagement, social involvement and social activities; combined with seniors, the elderly, older adults, older people and aging. Research was performed between January and February. Results: thirty-one longitudinal studies on social participation among old and healthy middle-aged adults were included for analysis. In three studies social engagement levels increased, especially at the beginning of old age (up to 75 years). Twenty-one studies presented results that described the reduction of social engagement levels in old age, and five studies found that there was no change in levels of social involvement. The most used theories were: the activity theory, the social disengagement theory, the continuity theory and the theory of socioemotional selectivity. Conclusion: the results point to the need for reflection on what is envisioned and what is practiced in terms of policies and practices aimed at achieving successful aging. Future attempts should include not only incentives to remain active, but a description of factors that influence the social disengagement associated with poor adaptation in old age.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8465
Author(s):  
Jorge Morato ◽  
Sonia Sanchez-Cuadrado ◽  
Ana Iglesias ◽  
Adrián Campillo ◽  
Carmen Fernández-Panadero

The exponential evolution of technology and the growth of the elderly population are two phenomena that will inevitably interact with increasing frequency in the future. This paper analyses scientific literature as a means of furthering progress in sustainable technology for senior living. We carried out a bibliometric analysis of papers published in this area and compiled by the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, examining the main participants and advances in the field from 2000 to the first quarter of 2021. The study describes some interesting research projects addressing three different aspects of older adults’ daily lives—health, daily activities and wellbeing—and policies to promote healthy aging and improve the sustainability of the healthcare system. It also looks at lines of research into transversal characteristics of technology. Our analysis showed that publications mentioning sustainability technologies for older adults have been growing progressively since the 2000s, but that the big increase in the number of research works in this area took place during the period 2016–2021. These more recent works show a tendency to study those factors that improve healthy aging, ensure the social inclusion of the elderly through technology and prolong the time in which they can live independent lives thanks to smart environments. Current research gaps in the literature are also discussed.


1984 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Ford ◽  
Rex Taylor

This article uses cluster analysis to identify different patterns of personal resources within a random sample of the well, elderly population. Ten such patterns or natural groupings are identified and their implications for coping and successful aging are discussed. It is apparent that there are a number of ways both of aging well and aging badly, and that these patterns cannot be predicted solely on the basis of structural data. The article poses a number of questions on the performance of cluster members over time and draws attention to the importance of longitudinal data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lono Wijayanti ◽  
Siti Damawiyah

Background: Everyone would want to enjoy their old age in a healthy condition both physically and spiritually, but the fact is that old age is more synonymous with periods of decline in physical, mental, and human interest. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to Identify the description of understanding the meaning of life from a health perspective for the elderly at the Panti Griya Werdha Jambangan in Surabaya. Methods: This study is a quantitative study with a descriptive design. The population in this study were all the elderly who live in the home for the werdha Jambangan with a total of 60 elderly and the sample used was 56 respondents using simple random sampling. The variable in this study is the understanding of the meaning of life from a health perspective in the elderly. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and presented in a frequency distribution table. Results: The results showed that out of 56 elderly people at the Werdha Jambangan Nursing Home in Surabaya, 73.2% of the respondents were 60-74 years old, 73.2% were female, and most of them 55.4% had an understanding of the meaning of a moderate life. Conclusion: Getting an understanding of the meaning of life requires a long and continuous process. A person who already has an understanding of the meaning of his life will be more prosperous and happier in life.Key words: Understanding the meaning of life, health perspective, elderly


Author(s):  
Preksha T. Singh ◽  
Shreyans D. Singhvi ◽  
Gautam Bhandari

Background: Depression is an emerging mental health condition and elderly population of the world is often affected by it. In the elderly, it often goes unnoticed and often burdens them.Methods: Two groups of population one from an old age home and the other from a community were selected. Data was collected using a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and a demographic form. The data was compiled and analyzed using Google Spreadsheets.Results: Depression rates were found in both, the old age home and the community. The rates were found higher in the old age home than the community. The demographic factors chronic illness, gender, educational status and marital status were found to be associated with depression.Conclusions: As depression in elderly is a fairly common phenomenon, it should be paid more attention. The elderly should receive intervention for the disease and be able to sustain it.


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