Due to an increase in UK’s ageing population the challenge faced in the society has become that of social isolation and loneliness consequently the issue addressed in the interest of wider population and communities. IRIS REF. Loneliness could be described as the feeling of loss of meaningful social relationship, while social isolation could be explained as the lack of social interaction and relationships which could be caused by deterioration of ones health (Bordi and Nicholson 2008). By responding to the issues surrounding loneliness and social isolation, there is a possibility that older people can have an improved quality of life thereby giving them an increased sense of independence towards services (ollonqvist et al 2008). Evidently, …show more content…
The fact that a primary care trust in London has implemented “The second half centre” a place created with the intent of tackling loneliness and isolation for older people affected by age, mental illness or disability shows that there is need to give older people an opportunity to be proactive by encouraging them to learn and build relationships with other service users …show more content…
Greaves and Farbus (2006) observational study, showed older people’s reports on increased feeling of wellbeing after taking part in group activities, especially those who have little or no access to social events or groups with shared interest. Another consideration is that being involved in a group interaction with other people with similar interest could have a positive impact and contribute to strengthening the group itself. Evidently the research went on to indicate that interventions which promote active social contact, encourage creativity and use a mentoring system are more likely to positively affect health and well-being. By the end of the study socially isolated older people reported signs of improvement in their level of alertness; self-worth became optimistic about and positive changes in health behaviours as a result of group activities (Greaves and Farbus 2006). Lastly the study discussed that older people engaging in group activities would be a way of reconnecting with people and local communities as well as improving their psychological and physical wellbeing. On the other hand the psychological benefits of group activities was never proved thereby suggesting further investigation is needed into this area. Dickens et al 2011 conducted a systematic
Aging and old age for a long time presented as dominated by negative traits and states such as sickness, depression and isolation. The aging process is not simply senescence most people over the age of 65 are not Senile, bedridden, isolated, or suicidal (Aldwin & Levenson, 1994). This change in perspective led the investigation of the other side of the coin. Ageing is seen as health, maturity and personal Royal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generatively, coping and acceptance of age-related constraints (Birren & Fisher, 1995). Psychological und...
Russell (1978), (http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jedp/article/download/46795/25238) established the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness scale, which has been widely employed to this day, and performed a theoretical factor analysis for loneliness. His research and results attracted broad attention around the world. Loneliness can be studied by three approaches: the cognitive process approach, the human needs approach and the behavioral approach. The cognitive process approach emphasizes an individual’s mental awareness and assesses his or her social
Nicolaisen, M., & Thorsen, K. (2012). Impairments, mastery, and loneliness. A prospective study of loneliness among older adults. Norsk Epidemiologi, 22(2), 143-150.
There are many environmental influences as well as human behaviors that contribute to one’s expected life span. Health and lifestyle are two major factors that play a role in determining what life would be like during the senior years of life. There are many advantages to having a strong social support network that consists of caregivers paid and unpaid. Seniors with this tend to live longer, remain independent and stay active in their later years. Citizens in today’s society are living longer due to technology, medications and an overall healthier lifestyle. Many reach the age of 100 but the maximum human life span is 120 years old. One’s personal data, career choices, environmental influences and amount of active interactions will determine how those of the older population will experience the aging process.
T.S. Eliot and William Butler Yeats portray their characters as two men, who are trying to deal with the idea of loneliness. Both men are presently depressed with their existing lifestyles and crave to become a part of an entirely different state of affairs. As these authors present their characters desires to live a separate life from their recent one, Prufrock and the narrator (Yeats) take a different approach to expressing their ideas of loneliness. Eliot chooses to depict his character as an overly educated man, whose mental state is deteriorating because he longs for companionship, while Yeats chooses to depict his character as a man, who wants to live-out his childhood dream in solitude. Both authors show their characters as men who are trying to cope with their feelings toward seclusion.
Their findings indicate that socially isolated seniors seem to have higher ties to community agencies as indicating their higher utilization of services in general. This association of social isolation with higher service usage confirms the theory that isolated individuals use more services as a substitute for social ties” (Coulton and Frost, 1982 p. 336). In another work, Choi (1994) examined the effect of family support on social service use. In his study seniors were divided into three groups; those who lived with children, those whose children lived apart and those who were childless. The study confirmed the importance of children as informal care providers to those seniors with the most functional and physical problems. It also noted the role of family members as enablers to service
Cumming and Henry are two people that made this theory which suggested the possible outcomes for those that disengage from interest and society. They state that people would naturally tend to withdraw from social engagement as they get older. Overall they...
Of Mice and Men is a colorful piece of American literature that depicts the lives of multiple individuals in the Great Depression over the course of a few days. The author, John Steinbeck, approaches several themes and topics throughout the novel and really makes the reader think and ponder over the issues being discussed. One key theme that is always present in Of Mice and Men is the idea of loneliness. In the novel loneliness can be found in the relationships characters have with others, sexism, and racism. Even the town that the novel takes place in is Soledad, which is Spanish for loneliness. Of Mice and Men accurately shows the hardships that loneliness can inflict on people in the Great Depression and even today and is a topic that a myriad of readers can connect with and sympathies for.
Disengagement theory is useful and relevant in understanding the social world of older people. However, the theory is contradicted by empirical evidence that revealed high levels of activity and engagement amongst many older people. (Johnson & Barer, 1992) suggest that the idea that older people consider withdrawing from social roles and interactions from the society a positive step is preposterous. They carried a study to determine social adaptation among 150 individuals, 85 years and older. The sample was selected from municipal voting rolls on the US using a snowball technique. Data were collected through in-depth open ended structured interviews in the respondents’ homes. Health and functioning were evaluated by the OARS measures of perceived
Within the elderly community, the existence of activities and interaction with others creates an impact on the elderly daily living. As being a provider in a home health facility, there has been a substantial amount of complaints from family members due to the lack of socializing by their loved ones. When dealing with quality care of the elderly, relationships is a major form of communication that allows each individual the opportunity to express their emotions, and continue his/her consistency of motor skills. Relationships with others are normally formed in senior citizen centers, senior communities and/or with home health
The older the people get, the more they start to go down separate paths which can lead them to follow a certain theory of ageing such as the activity theory or the disengagement theory. Everyone grows older and will have to deal with their age, but each individual deals with their aging process contrastingly, some like to stay active and get involved with as many things as possible, which is the activity theory, but others choose to keep away from all things social and disengage from everyone and everything, which is the disengagement theory. Both theories have contrasting opinions on how we should age, but there are lots of different ways an elderly person can keep fit and active and be sociable at the same time with clubs and group activities that are provided for the individuals. The features are important for older individuals to keep physically and mentally healthy.
Active ageing does not stop when elderly people retire as they can remain active through their families, peers and communities. Active ageing aims allows elderly people to realise and bring awareness to their own psychological, physical and mental well-being as the goal active ageing is the autonomy and independence of elderly people (Alexandre, Cordeiro, & Ramos, 2009).
I feel uncomfortable in my own world. Being alone unnerves me. I always have felt the need to share my world, my mind and my feelings with somebody. My feelings about myself seem less important than what others think of me. I'm scared of being lonely. And so are we all. We all seem to be on a continuous search for someone who will really love and understand us. Someone to provide us with a purpose for life. And yet I think we are all essentially alone. We are alone in our thoughts an emotions.
While being social has many benefits to the health of a person, it can have a negative effect if there is any financial stress, increased burdens, or ailing family member or partner (Annear et al., 2012). Caring for others as an elderly person can have both negative and positive effects while providing companionship and a sense of purpose, it can also make the elderly carers life more stressful and can sometimes make the carer feel emotionally isolated (Annear et al., 2012). Joining social groups will get encourage participation and interaction with other members of their social group; this will help in minimising the potential for social isolation and detachment. Barriers to having an active social health are living in rural or remote areas, long distances to services and social networks. It is important for elderly people to feel they still have some form of connection with their friends and family and feel that are still connect to
Social Isolation/Social Rejection A male person might be living in a geo-physical environment where he is isolated or in a social environment where he is socially rejected for a number of reasons – specifically due to: the absence of prestige; a lack of significant statuses-held; holding a criminal record, etc.; being labeled as a social loser; facing bigotry or prejudices, etc. Consequently, pornography use or abuse provides an opportunity to relieve sexual urges or serves to channel anger issues related to social rejection. Boredom Some males have too much time on their hands – either as a result of being a teenager, having limited work responsibilities or being retired, etc.