scholarly journals Understanding Social Network and Support for Older Immigrants in Ontario, Canada: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepali Guruge ◽  
Souraya Sidani ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Bharati Sethi ◽  
Denise Spitzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Social

BACKGROUND Older adults are the fastest growing age group worldwide and in Canada. Immigrants represent a significant proportion of older Canadians. Social isolation is common among older adults and has many negative consequences, including limited community and civic participation, increased income insecurity, and increased risk of elder abuse. Additional factors such as the social, cultural, and economic changes that accompany migration, language differences, racism, and ageism heighten older immigrants’ vulnerability to social isolation. OBJECTIVE This mixed-methods sequential (qualitative-quantitative) study seeks to clarify older immigrants’ social needs, networks, and support and how these shape their capacity, resilience, and independence in aging well in Ontario. METHODS Theoretically, our research is informed by an intersectionality perspective and an ecological model, allowing us to critically examine the complexity surrounding multiple dimensions of social identity (eg, gender and immigration) and how these interrelate at the micro (individual and family), meso (community), and macro (societal) levels in diverse geographical settings. Methodologically, the project is guided by a collaborative, community-based, mixed-methods approach to engaging a range of stakeholders in Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, and London in generating knowledge. The 4 settings were strategically chosen for their diversity in the level of urbanization, size of community, and the number of immigrants and immigrant-serving organizations. Interviews will be conducted in Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish with older women, older men, family members, community leaders, and service providers. The study protocol has received ethics approval from the 4 participating universities. RESULTS Quantitative and qualitative data collection is ongoing. The project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada. CONCLUSIONS Comparative analyses of qualitative and quantitative data within and across sites will provide insights about common and unique factors that contribute to the well-being of older immigrants in different regions of Ontario. Given the comprehensive approach to incorporating local knowledge and expert contributions from multilevel stakeholders, the empirical and theoretical findings will be highly relevant to our community partners, help facilitate practice change, and improve the well-being of older men and women in immigrant communities. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/12616

scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Changes in Potential Risk Factors for Elder Mistreatment Reported by Caregivers of Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 940-940
Author(s):  
Lena Makaroun ◽  
Scott Beach ◽  
Tony Rosen ◽  
Ann-Marie Rosland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Elder Mistreatment ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract In previous studies, caregiver (CG) stress, substance use, poor physical health, poor mental health, financial problems, and social isolation have been associated with increased risk of elder mistreatment (EM) for older care recipients (CR). This study aimed to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted these CG-related risk factors for EM in a community sample of CGs. A non-probability sample of 433 CGs caring for adult CRs age ≥60 years with physical (76%), cognitive (34%) and mental health (14%) conditions completed a survey on COVID-19 impacts in April-May 2020. CGs had mean age 61 (range 21 – 91), were 75% female and 92% non-Hispanic White. Over 40% of CGs reported doing worse financially since COVID-19. Compared to before COVID-19, 15% reported drinking more alcohol and 64% reported somewhat or greatly increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness. CGs reported that COVID-19 had made caregiving more physically (18.7%), emotionally (48.5%) and financially (14.5%) difficult, interfered with their own healthcare (19%), and led to family conflict over caring for CR (13.2%). Younger CGs (age <65) and those with annual income <$50,000 were more likely to report negative COVID-19 impacts. This study suggests CGs of older adults may be experiencing increased stress, alcohol use, social isolation and negative impacts on their own health and financial situation. Healthcare and social service providers should assess for these EM risk-factors in caregivers and connect them and their care recipients with resources and services to address these stressors to reduce risk of EM during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Impact of iN2L Tablets on Loneliness and Well-Being: Findings of an Innovative Industry-AAA Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 949-950
Author(s):  
Lydia Nguyen ◽  
Karen O'Hern ◽  
Adam Siak ◽  
Kristi Stoglin ◽  
Charlotte Mather-Tayor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Innovative Program ◽  
Adult Day Centers

Abstract Area Agency on Aging (AAA) senior and adult day centers closed due to COVID-19, causing many older adults to lose an important source of connection and engagement, leading to social isolation. To combat negative consequences, iN2L and a Florida AAA partnered on an innovative program providing iN2L tablets to AAA-supported older adults to use at home. The tablets have a simple interface, content specifically designed for older adults (e.g., games; music; movies), and video call capability. Participants included 51 independent older adults (mean age 77) and 39 family caregivers (mean age 59) of people with dementia. Participants completed phone surveys with AAA case managers at baseline and 3 months, including UCLA Loneliness Scale (3 item) and questions about their tablet experiences. Findings show positive trends for loneliness and well-being in both groups. At 3 months, lonely participants decreased from baseline by 25% for independent older adults and 18% for family caregivers. Over 80% of independent older adults agreed the tablet engages them in meaningful activities, provides daily enjoyment, and helps with relaxation. For family caregivers, 79% agreed the tablet is another tool in their caregiver toolkit and about 70% agreed the tablet adds daily enjoyment, helps with relaxation, and provides engagement in meaningful activities for their family member. Approximately 50% of caregivers felt happier, less stressed, and less irritable since using the tablets. This work has implications for the utility of technology in promoting engagement and connection, alleviating negative effects of social isolation, and the effectiveness of industry-AAA partnerships.

scholarly journals SOCIAL ISOLATION, LONELINESS, AND MEN'S HEALTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S213-S213
Author(s):  
Harry O Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Men’S Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Men's Health ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
The Social ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The Life Course

Abstract Strong and fulfilling relationships are important components of men’s health and well-being across the life course; however, social isolation and loneliness are important but under-assessed conditions among older men. This is important to note because older men often subscribe to common masculinity themes regarding independence and self-sufficiency which places them at greater risk for social isolation and loneliness in comparison to older women. The purpose of this presentation is to review the social isolation and loneliness literature specifically among older men by 1) discussing gender differences, and the potential mechanisms behind these differences, in social isolation and loneliness, 2) examining health, behavioral and physiological effects of social isolation and loneliness specifically among older men, and 3) providing future research directions for understanding social isolation and loneliness among older men including understanding social isolation and loneliness and their associative outcomes among diverse samples of older men.

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 Loneliness and social isolation of older adults: Why it is important to examine these social aspects together

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 925-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. G. Newall ◽  
Verena H. Menec
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Socially Isolated

Research shows that social isolation and loneliness are important health issues for older adults. This message is increasingly being recognized by policy makers and service providers. Although the concepts of loneliness and social isolation are often discussed and compared with one another, they are largely examined separately, even if they are both included in the same study. In the present article, we argue for bringing together these two related concepts. For example, focusing only on social isolation overlooks differences between those older adults who are socially isolated and lonely versus socially isolated but not lonely. Consequently, we discuss four groups of older adults: isolated, but not lonely; lonely in a crowd; isolated and lonely; and not isolated or lonely. We argue that considering loneliness and social isolation together will aid in the understanding of the social situation of older adults and can provide new directions for research and intervention programs for older adults.

scholarly journals Sickness and the Social Brain: Love in the Time of COVID

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline J. Smith ◽  
Staci D. Bilbo
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Group Living ◽  
Immunological Response ◽  
Sickness Behavior ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Males And Females

As a highly social species, inclusion in social networks and the presence of strong social bonds are critical to our health and well-being. Indeed, impaired social functioning is a component of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, our social networks are at risk of fracture and many are vulnerable to the negative consequences of social isolation. Importantly, infection itself leads to changes in social behavior as a component of “sickness behavior.” Furthermore, as in the case of COVID-19, males and females often differ in their immunological response to infection, and, therefore, in their susceptibility to negative outcomes. In this review, we discuss the many ways in which infection changes social behavior—sometimes to the benefit of the host, and in some instances for the sake of the pathogen—in species ranging from eusocial insects to humans. We also explore the neuroimmune mechanisms by which these changes in social behavior occur. Finally, we touch upon the ways in which the social environment (group living, social isolation, etc.) shapes the immune system and its ability to respond to challenge. Throughout we emphasize how males and females differ in their response to immune activation, both behaviorally and physiologically.

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 EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON OLDER ADULTS' WELL-BEING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S193-S194
Author(s):  
Walter R Boot
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Transitions ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Recent research had indicated clear links between social isolation and loneliness, and a host of negative consequences, including poor mental and physical health, cognitive decline, and even increased mortality risk. These consequences make clear that social isolation is a significant and urgent public health concern that requires attention and action. Increasingly, researchers have begun to explore the role technology can play in reducing social isolation and increasing social support. This symposium contains five talks that address this question directly, presenting a nuanced picture of the potential effects of technology on well-being among older adults. The first presentation will highlight the potential positive side of internet use on wellbeing using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study. The next talk explores how the internet can support older adults undergoing significant life transitions. Importantly, the link between internet use and well-being appears to be context-dependent, with internet use being associated with positive or negative effects depending on other contextual factors. This presentation is followed by another, finding that technology use can have varying effects depending on how and what the technology is used for. This is followed by a presentation that directly compares technology-based communication to in-person communication, and the different effects of each on well-being. The session concludes with a presentation on how novel robotic technology might provide emotional and social support. In answer to the question of whether technology can reduce social isolation and loneliness, and improve social support: It’s complicated.

scholarly journals The Need for Improved Detection and Management of Adult-Onset Hearing Loss in Australia

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M. McMahon ◽  
Bamini Gopinath ◽  
Julie Schneider ◽  
Jennifer Reath ◽  
Louise Hickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Onset ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hearing Health

Adult-onset hearing loss is insidious and typically diagnosed and managed several years after onset. Often, this is after the loss having led to multiple negative consequences including effects on employment, depressive symptoms, and increased risk of mortality. In contrast, the use of hearing aids is associated with reduced depression, longer life expectancy, and retention in the workplace. Despite this, several studies indicate high levels of unmet need for hearing health services in older adults and poor use of prescribed hearing aids, often leading to their abandonment. In Australia, the largest component of financial cost of hearing loss (excluding the loss of well-being) is due to lost workplace productivity. Nonetheless, the Australian public health system does not have an effective and sustainable hearing screening strategy to tackle the problem of poor detection of adult-onset hearing loss. Given the increasing prevalence and disease burden of hearing impairment in adults, two key areas are not adequately met in the Australian healthcare system: (1) early identification of persons with chronic hearing impairment; (2) appropriate and targeted referral of these patients to hearing health service providers. This paper reviews the current literature, including population-based data from the Blue Mountains Hearing Study, and suggests different models for early detection of adult-onset hearing loss.

National Identification, A Social Cure for COVID-19? Evidence From 67 Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Bonetto ◽  
Sylvain Delouvée ◽  
Yara Mahfud ◽  
Jais Adam-Troian
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
National Identification ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mental Health Benefits

Social distancing and mass quarantines were implemented worldwide in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research on the effects of social isolation has shown that such measures bear negative consequences for population health and well-being. Conversely, a growing body of evidence suggests that feeling positively identified with a group is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits. This effect is referred to as the social cure and generalizes to various identities. In line with these findings, this study tested whether national identification could promote wellbeing and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we used survey data conducted among 67 countries (N = 46,450) which included measures of wellbeing, national identification, and subjective physical health. Mixed-model analyses revealed that national identity was indeed associated with wellbeing - despite adjustment on social belonging, COVID-19 perceived risk, exposure, and ideology. This effect did not extend to subjective health. These results suggest that the mere feeling of belonging to a national group may have mental health benefits and could be leveraged by governments. We discuss the implications of our findings within the social cure framework and their relevance for population mental health under COVID-19.

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