Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults

Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2020-05-14

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 0309671035

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Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.


Families Caring for an Aging America

Families Caring for an Aging America

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2016-11-08

Total Pages: 367

ISBN-13: 0309448093

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Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.


Community Mental Health for Older People

Community Mental Health for Older People

Author: Gerard J. Byrne

Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences

Published: 2009-10-29

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 0729578992

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Community Mental Health for Older People is the perfect resource for mental health workers as it discuses the ageing population, within the context of community mental health. It provides a comprehensive overview of the important issues and clinical practices that influence mental health care for older people. Written from a multidisciplinary perspective it is suitable for all health workers in community mental health teams (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, clinical psychologists, consumer representatives, medical practitioners, occupational therapists, registered nurses, social workers, etc) as it incorporates the use of case studies to aid in the application of evidence-based practice. Multidisciplinary approach serves to illustrate the breadth and context of mental issues for older people Chapters are topical and relevant, discussing issues such as service provision, cultural and rural issues, major disorders and interventions, as well as ethical and legal issues. Vignettes are included throughout the clinical chapters and serve to illustrate real cases derived from practice Evidence-based practice is a key element to this pivotal new text as it highlights the best method of practise, in a clear and accessible manner. Highly readable style without the bulkiness of excessive references


The New Public Health

The New Public Health

Author: Theodore H. Tulchinsky

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2023-01-21

Total Pages: 1216

ISBN-13: 0323984320

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The New Public Health has established itself as a solid textbook throughout the world. Translated into seven languages, this work distinguishes itself from other public health textbooks, which are either highly locally oriented or, if international, lack the specificity of local issues relevant to students' understanding of applied public health in their own setting. Fully revised, The New Public Health, Fourth Edition provides a unified approach to public health appropriate for graduate students and advance undergraduate students especially for courses in MPH, community health, preventive medicine, community health education programs, community health nursing programs. It is also a valuable resource for health professionals requiring an overview of public health. Provides a comprehensive overview of the field, illustrated with real-life specific examples Updated with new case studies and examples from current public health environment in North American and European regions Includes detailed companion website featuring case studies, image bank, online chapters, and video as well as an instructors' guide


Feminist Perspectives on Family Care

Feminist Perspectives on Family Care

Author: Nancy R. Hooyman

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Published: 1995-08-29

Total Pages: 433

ISBN-13: 1452247315

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Today women find themselves playing an ever-increasing role in caring for older family members who are frail, developmentally disabled, or suffering from serious mental illness. While this has role of women as caregivers has been documented, the actual impact on the lives of women has remained largely unstudied. In this volume, the authors examine caregiving as a central feminist issue, looking at its impact on women socially, personally, and economically. The authors review how changing family structures, the changing economy and workforce, and the changing health care demands of needy adults have impacted on women′s lives. They critique existing public and private policies, demonstrating a need for fundamental structural changes in social institutions and attitudes to improve the lives of women. Finally, they propose a social model of care that is oriented toward gender justice--recognition of the work of caring and its impact upon women socially, personally, and economically. For students, scholars and practitioners in the field of gerontology, gender studies, and social work, this book is a must.


Focus on Consumer-directed Care and Older Persons

Focus on Consumer-directed Care and Older Persons

Author: Marshall B. Kapp

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13:

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Chapters address the effects of the changes within health and long-term care delivery and financing, as they evolve from a regulatory command and control paradigm to a combination of models in which the individual/patient consumer is more empowered to make personal choices.


Community Preference for Mental Health Services for the Elderly [microform]

Community Preference for Mental Health Services for the Elderly [microform]

Author: Asha Sinha

Publisher: National Library of Canada

Published: 1981

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780315061156

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The main purpose of the present study was to ascertain the nature of mental health services preferred by the community members in order to deal with the psychological problems of the aged. Specifically, the problem studied was whether people have a custodial orientation or community orientation for prevention, treatment and management of psycho logical problems in the elderly population. The relationship between attitude toward the elderly and preference for the services was also examined. In addition, the study investigated the relationship demo graphic variables have with preference for services for the psychologic ally impaired elderly, and with attitudes toward old persons. The fol lowing three instruments were used to obtain the required information: (1) Psychogeriatric Services Scales (PSS), (2) Old People Scale (OPS), and (3) Demographic Information Questionnaire (DIQ). The PSS was a specially constructed scale which measured preference for 27 different types of services representing 4 main categories: (a) Preventive Care, (b) Improved Institutional Care, (c) Community Care, and (d) After Care. The questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 300 households in the city of Edmonton. Of these, 69 returns were complete enough for data analysis. The results show that most respondents tend to prefer community oriented services for the psychological problems of the elderly. No one has definite custodial orientation. However, a significantly high percentage (63%) of the subjects have low community orientation. whereas only 27% have high community orientation. With respect to the four groups of services, the highest preference is for Preventive Care Services followed by Improved Institutional Care, Community Care and After Care. As for the respondents' attitudes toward older persons, no subject has a definite negative attitude. However, a considerable per centage (41%) of the subjects have a low positive attitude toward the elderly as compared to those (23%) in the high attitude category. The correlation coefficient between attitude toward old persons and pre ference for services is small, suggesting that the nature of preference may not be predicted from the knowledge of one's attitude toward old persons. It is also found that, in general, most demographic variables are not related to either preference for services or to attitudes toward older persons.