It is common knowledge in the present time that as we age we should strive to keep our body and mind active; however, recent research shows that it is also very important to remain socially active as well. Isolation and loneliness are an ever increasing reality for older adults as they lose friends and family either to illness or by simply drifting apart. Other difficulties such as hearing loss and increased fatigue make it more difficult to get around as easily as it may have been in youth which can also lead to isolation. Many elderly people live alone, and this time spent in isolation may jeopardize their well-being. In fact, Loneliness has been identified as a primary mental health problem affecting seniors (Pettigrew). This literature review will explore some of the most current research findings which support the idea that staying socially active has many positive influences on the elder population. A recent study done at Rush University Medical Center concluded that higher levels of social activity correlate with a decreased risk of becoming disabled (James). Social activity has been recognized as an important element to healthy aging for quite some time, but now there is confirmation that it leads to better functionality in old age. In this study, over 1,100 adults aged 65 or older were assessed qualitatively every year for a period of 5-12 years. They reported on a scale how many times per week to year they participated in activities such as going to restaurants, sporting events or play bingo; go on day trips or overnight trips; do unpaid community or volunteer work; visit relatives’ or friends’ houses; participate in groups, such as senior center, Knights of Columbus, Rosary Society, or something similar; and attend c... ... middle of paper ... ...54-57. Retrieved from http://webpro.ctx.edu:2275/education/docview/235265301/fulltextPDF/134CACC7895752E5B6 2/ 1?accountid=7023 David, C., Wilson, B. E., & Henderson, K. A. (2009). Experiences of participation in Senior games among older adults. Journal of Leisure Research, 41(1), 41-56. Retrieved from http://webpro.ctx.edu:2275/education/docview/201124381/fulltextPDF/134CAD55B294085AA00/ 1?accountid=7023 Larsson, A., Haglund, L., & Hagberg, J. (2009). Doing everyday life--experiences of the oldest old. Scandinavian Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 16(2), 99-109. doi:10.1080/11038120802409762 Bryan D. James, Robert S. Wilson, Lisa L. Barnes and David A. Bennett (2011). Late-Life Social Activity and Cognitive Decline in Old Age. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 17 , pp 998-1005 doi:10.1017/S1355617711000531
Williams, R. H., & Wirths, C. G. (1965). Lives through the years: Styles of life and successful aging.
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.
However, some variation and possible novelty surfaced in this period of the lifespan. According to (Clark, Ouellette, Powell, & Milberg, 1987), in late adulthood, social interactions are more about communal orientation. Meaning that in this stage, friendships are deeply about the welfare of friends, concerns for friend’s well-being, and support, which portrayed this stage mainly about high quality relations. In his research, Field (1999) reported that late adults’ deep care for friend’s well-being is understandable for the fact that, older adults are in the stage where health issues often emerge, therefore, a sense of vulnerability arised. However, normative life events that retained social interactions in middle adulthood decrease because they are most likely release from family restraint, workforce responsibility and past personal obligations (Field,
The first influential factor to the atrophy of social life that Eitzen writes about is moving away. Americans nowadays are always on the go – if moving is the most convenient idea, they will move with no regard to formed relationships that will soon be broken. People are often forced to move in order to follow a job or because of problems within the family. Constantly moving about causes a decline in intimate relationships. This is also true in people who live alone. The lack of regular and reliable social interaction can lead to a less sociable personality and less motivation to form real relationships. Real relationships are what lead to a healthy social life.
Several studies also asserted that loneliness is correlated with aging itself (Tijhuis et al, 1999; Victor et al, 2000) and that there was a gradual increase in loneliness up to the age of 90 (Holmen, 1992). This increasing trend can be attributed to interactions with other factors due to additive nature of risk factors for loneliness and social isolation (Victor et al, 2000).
Healthy ageing impacts on the health system as more and more aged people are more likely to be active and healthy nowadays with an improved quality of life through various attributes such as physical and mental stimulation, along with the adoption of good behaviours, such as a healthy/balanced diet, exercise, regular health checks and having hobbies, which each help to improve their quality of life. Ultimately, healthy ageing impacts on the health-care system through adopted behaviours and values chosen – As more aged people are interacting regularly within social groups, sporting groups and many others, they are able to freely interact with others, along with participating within certain activities, which help to physically and mentally stimulate them. Through these actions, it reduces the risk of illness and disease, working to improve the physical and mental health of the aged as they move through the ageing process. It is impacting on the health system due to the fact that, as the aged become more competent, they are less likely to access certain services and facilities due to their physical and mental state. There will be fewer cases of certain illnesses and diseases amongst the aged population if individuals are more productive in their lives. If the aged are more independent,
Hiller, S. M., & Barrow, G. M. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
There are two theories of ageing. The disengagement theory is when the elderly unfortunately start to give up with activities or social life. They become withdrawn from society. This is when you disengage from any way of contact or interaction. The reason for disengagement theory may be because physical functions deteriorate. There are three phases of disengagement theory. These are shrinkage of life space is when you are not working or have no contact with friends and family. You don’t get to meet new people. You decide not to take up any hobbies or activities. The second phase is increased individuality. This is when you become independent and what others do does not matter to you. The third phase is acceptance. You start to accept things the way they are. You accept that it is the last stage of life and don’t try to fight it.
Prominent musician, Celine Dion, once said, “There’s no such thing is aging, but maturing and knowledge. It’s beautiful, I call that beauty.” To many, growing old is just a natural, beautiful part of life. It is inevitable. It is inescapable. The functionalist perspective of sociology states that the elderly perform a function in order to keep society running with ease. Functionalists focus on the disengagement theory and how people tend to disengage from society as they approach death. Symbolic interactionists focus on how environmental factors and relationships with others affect the aging experience, focusing on the activity theory and the continuity theory (Carl, 2011, p. 220). Conflict theorists focus on the discrepancies that arise between different age groups. They also focus on the economical side of aging and the issues that may arise due to an active elderly population (Carl, 2011, p. 221).
This reflection paper is based on the life history interview conducted on me and a 78-year-old woman who is soon going to celebrate her 79th birthday on Sep 21st. I would call her with a fictitious name “Smita” in the entire paper to maintain and protect her privacy. The interview was about our life. It was divided into six major life categories: childhood, adulthood, identity, the present, aging, and life lessons. Having an opportunity to interview a 78-year-old woman and writing this reflective paper about the life history and experiences had made me realize that I have a lot to learn about the stages of human life. Every individual lives are different and it varies tremendously. As an interviewee my goal was to collect the details of life, different stories, and experiences that makes our life unique from the rest of the people.
An analysed qualitative study of 120 active elderly subjects found out that marital status, income and leisure activities as well as psychological factors assessed by the Geriatric Depression scale had an impact on the quality of life of the seniors citizens (Alexandre, Cordeiro, & Ramos,
Weiss, Robert S., and Scottq A. Bass, eds. Challenges of the third age: Meaning and purpose in later life. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2002. 41-43. Print.
There is a relationship between old age and late life loneliness; whether is perceived or actual is irrelevant, as society views elderly people differently
The very aim of social gerontology since its beginning as a discipline has been to understand and improve the lives of older adults, and to improve the problems of aging. Hence, social gerontologists are interested in the influence of cultural, political, economic and social forces and conditions on the processes of aging. Moreover, it deals with the statuses and well-being of older people. Social gerontology instigates the ways in which the older population and the diversity of the aging experience influence and are influenced by social organization, social system and social structures (N, M. Putney, &etal, 2005; Onyenemezu,