What is it about?
Older people see their social life and social network as an important contributor for their quality of life and their life satisfaction. Social needs as affection, behavioural confirmation and status are all important social needs for older people. Older individuals want to stay (socially) active and feel useful and independent. Therefor reciprocity is important for older individuals, this can be expressed for example in doing volunteer work. The feeling of connectedness to other people, to a neighbourhood and to society contributes to their health and wellbeing.
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Why is it important?
This research shows that social needs do not change much when people get older. Older people want to stay active and useful, and give something back to others, to a neighbourhood and to a community. This connectedness contributes to their health and wellbeing. This research gives concrete considerations for successful interventions to prevent social isolation and loneliness among older people.
Perspectives
This publication helps to give insight in the social needs of older people and how older people satisfy their social needs. Our assumption is that in satisfying these needs one can prevent loneliness or social isolation. We give concrete guidelines for creating or implementing successful interventions for older individuals.
Tina ten Bruggencate
Fontys Hogescholen
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Social needs of older people: a systematic literature review, Ageing and Society, April 2017, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x17000150.
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