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Gallardo-Peralta LP, Sánchez-Moreno E, Rodríguez Rodríguez V, García Martín M. [Studying loneliness and social support networks among older people: a systematic review in Europe.]. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2023; 97:e202301006. [PMID: 36700292 PMCID: PMC10540907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE During the ageing process the loss of family and social relationships is frequent which conditions loneliness, similarly the current COVID-19 pandemic has generated more social limitations in this age group and has increased the risk factors to trigger feelings of loneliness. This paper aimed to examine how loneliness among older people had been studied in Europe over the last ten years. Specific objectives were: i) to describe the methodological aspects; ii) to identify the scales or questions for the assessment of loneliness; iii) what were the main variables or dimensions that were related to loneliness in old age. METHODS A total of 1,591 articles were found in WoS and Scopus digital platforms. After initial assessment of titles and abstracts, full text reading and review of the established criteria, 42 scientific articles were finally included in the systematic review. RESULTS The countries that had carried out the most studies were the Netherlands and Spain. Most of the research was quantitative and uses the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale. The most analysed variables were: marital status, household structure, social support networks, social participation, depression, health problems, co-morbidity and physical functioning. CONCLUSIONS The scientific interest in studying loneliness, with a focus on social support networks, in older people in Europe and strategically addressing loneliness as a public health problem is confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena P. Gallardo-Peralta
- Facultad de Trabajo Social, Universidad Complutense de MadridUniversidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Esteban Sánchez-Moreno
- Instituto Universitario de Desarrollo y Cooperación (IUDC-UCM), Universidad Complutense de MadridUniversidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Vicente Rodríguez Rodríguez
- Instituto de Economía, Geografía y Demografía, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasMadridSpain
| | - María García Martín
- Instituto Universitario de Desarrollo y Cooperación (IUDC-UCM), Universidad Complutense de MadridUniversidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
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Huang L, Zhang F, Guo L, Chen Y, Feng M, You Y, Zhang L, Jiang Z, Liu Y. Experiences and expectations of receiving volunteer services among home-based elderly in Chinese urban areas: A qualitative study. Health Expect 2022; 25:3164-3174. [PMID: 36264586 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The various complex needs for assistance among home-based older adults have increased dramatically. Thus, it would be advantageous to recruit volunteers with medical knowledge and a better understanding to support and assist the elderly living in urban communities. AIM This study aimed to explore the experiences and expectations of receiving volunteer services among the home-based elderly in Chinese urban areas. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. This study was performed in two communities in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A purposive sampling method, which includes criterion and maximum variation sampling, was used to identify and select a diverse range of participants. Semistructured face-to-face interviews with 20 older adults (aged 62-90 years old) were performed. The conventional content analysis method was used for thematic analysis. RESULTS Three categories with associated subcategories were identified: experiences of receiving volunteer services including negative and positive experiences; specific needs for volunteer services involving physiological, psychosocial, health-related behaviours and environmental domains; characteristics of expected volunteer services including availability, formats, recipients, providers and service strategies. CONCLUSIONS The volunteer services provided to the home-based elderly were found to be unsatisfactory, and lacking relevance and effectiveness. Due to a lack of family support or difficulty in meeting some high-level needs, the home-based elderly expressed a strong demand for volunteer services involving physiological, psychosocial, health-related behaviours and environmental domains. This finding can provide a basis for developing training plans beneficial to volunteers. Furthermore, the present research clarifies the criteria for selecting volunteers and the necessity of supervising and managing volunteers. Improving the effectiveness and accessibility of urban-community volunteer service may reduce the burden on care institutions and home caregivers while enhancing the quality of life and well-being of the elderly. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION Developing research questions, study design, management and conduct and interpretation of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Huang
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology/School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengjian Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology/School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Guo
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuqin Chen
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology/School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingjiao Feng
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology/School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanjie You
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology/School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology/School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziyun Jiang
- Jiukang Elderly Care Service Corporation, Wuhan, China
| | - Yilan Liu
- Department of Nursing, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology/School of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Gong N, Meng Y, Hu Q, Du Q, Wu X, Zou W, Zhu M, Chen J, Luo L, Cheng Y, Zhang M. Obstacles to access to community care in urban senior-only households: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:122. [PMID: 35164708 PMCID: PMC8842867 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-02816-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The increased number of older adults living alone has created a substantial care need. However, the utilization rate of services and facilities to meet these needs are surprisingly low. Many of older adults experience difficulties accessing these services, although it remains unclear how these obstacles impede access to services. This study explored the obstacles and difficulties experienced by urban older adults in seeking community care. Methods A phenomenological study was carried out and participatory observation and in-depth interviews were employed to investigate the process of seeking care of older adults in urban communities. A total of 18 urban community-dwelling older adults aged 75 years and over were included. Data collected were analysed by content analysis. Results We identified the pathways by which senior-only households sought community care and encountered obstacles. (1) lack of community care information: older adults did not know where and how to get services, even though the care institutions scattered throughout the community; (2) limited mobility: older adults often suffered from various chronic diseases, which physically hindered their access to care resources; (3) complex process of achieving care: the functional fragmentation and geographical dispersion of care institutions made the care-seeking process challenging and confusing for older adults; (4) incomprehension of needs expression: limited interaction time and communication barriers between staff of institutions and the older adults were the final obstacle. Only by surmounting these obstacles one by one can older adults access the care resources effectively. Conclusions When older adults in the community initiated calls for help, they encountered several obstacles. Their physiological and social disadvantages limited their ability to seek care physically. Lack of integration and clear guidance in the process of providing community care exacerbated these difficulties. Reform of care services should focus on the visibility and accessibility of services for older adults. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02816-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Gong
- School of Nursing, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya Meng
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Qin Hu
- School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University, Xingang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510399, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianqian Du
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjie Zou
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengyao Zhu
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayan Chen
- Qizhi Social Work Service Center, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lan Luo
- Hongshan Street Community Health Service Center, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University, Xingang West Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510399, Guangdong, China.
| | - Meifen Zhang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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