Social Engagement Research Paper

1348 Words3 Pages

Social Engagement and Depression People have always prospered by being social. Much of mankind’s accomplishments have only been possible through the collaboration and teamwork between people. Social engagement is key to healthy living and aging as it is a component of life that all people face. Unfortunately, many older adults have or are experiencing social isolation, which has adverse effects on their overall health and well-being. According to Dury (2014), “Social isolation has been defined as an individual lacking a sense of belonging, social engagement and quality relationships with others, while loneliness or emotional isolation is defined as subjective, involving feelings of loss of companionship” (p. 125). Moreover, it is crucial to …show more content…

A key component of this essay is to evaluate the risks and consequences of ignoring the signs of social isolation and how to promote social engagement through practices and strategies. There are four main topics that will be examined that include: best practice standards to prevent morbidity and promote health, ways to assess health capacity of older adults, strategies that can be implemented, and ultimately community resources will be referenced. Best Practice Standards The onset of social isolation can lead to various outcomes. Depression is common occurrence for those that feel socially isolated from their peers. The magnitude of depression is even more drastic for older adults as other factors such as less independence, high risk of falls, disability, frailty, and death become realities they must consider (Findlay, Lloyd, & Finucane, 2017, p. 586). Depression is a serious and debilitating disorder that can affect one’s entire way of life if left unaddressed and untreated for too long. As previously mentioned, people are social animals that have an internal desire to work and …show more content…

Personally, I now have a greater sense of duty for providing emotional and therapeutic care to all patients. I can see the value of cognitively stimulating patients with authentic presence and social engagement. As for perspective, I now see older adults as regular people who just want to be able to talk with others as they please and live their lives normally. References CHATS. (2018). Adult Day Programs. Retrieved June 7, 2018, from https://www.chats.on.ca/adult-day-programs Dury, R. (2014). Social isolation and loneliness in the elderly: an exploration of some of the issues. British Journal of Community Nursing, 19(3), 125-128. Findlay, C., Lloyd, A., & Finucane, A. M. (2017). Experience of emotion in frail older people towards the end of life: A secondary data analysis. British Journal of Community Nursing, 22(12), 586-592. doi:10.12968/bjcn.2017.22.12.586 Ramage-Morin, P. L., & Gilmour, H. (2013). Urinary incontinence and loneliness in Canadian seniors. Health Reports, (10),

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