Social Support
How many types of social support are there?
5
What are the risk factors for social isolation and loneliness?
- poor physical, mental, and cognitive health
examples: cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and mortality
To the mind and body, what is seen as a threat?
social isolation
What is a common factor that leads to the loss of friendships and relationships in older adults?
-cognitive decline
When was the Older Americans Act (OAA) passed?
1965
When did social support first start to be studied?
The late 1970s
How many older adults report social isolation?
7.7 million
What are the 3 primary pathways that are linked to health?
1. relationships
2. social embeddedness
3. social connection
What major life events can lead to a decline in social support?
-retirement
-moving or relocating
-the death of friends, relatives, and other close relationships
The lack of social contacts among older adults leads to how much additional cost in medicare?
- $6.7 billion
Instrumental support is important for who?
-older adults who may be isolated and at risk of self-neglect.
What is Social Isolation characterized by?
-a physical lack of social connectivity and living arrangements
What drives health and well-being?
Life satisfaction
True or False?
There is evidence that suggests the loss of social relationships can lead to or even exacerbate the cognitive decline.
True
What are three programs that address community needs?
1. Foster Grandparents
2. Senior Companions
3. Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs
Older Adults feel more comfortable feeling this type of support.
- Companionate Support
Poor health is a strong indicator of what in older adults?
-loneliness
Chronic rejection and isolation lead to what?
-impair cellular processes that lower our immune system
What are three risks that result in the decline of health, accidents, and mortality?
1. lack of support
2. cognitive decline
3. self-neglect
True or False?
Medicare and Medicaid services don't have any plans that offer benefits that can reduce social isolation.
False
What support can be leveraged and mobilized?
-Percieved support
When a person's expectations for support are not matched how does that person typically feel?
- they feel like no one understands or cares about them
Why is social support important in the stress aprasial process?
- can reduce physiological responses associated with stressful circumstances or events
How does the National Center on Elder Abuse define older adults self neglect?
-behaviour that threatens a persons own health and safety
What does Senior Corps do?
-A government agency that uses an intergenerational and intragenerational service model to engage adults aged 55 or older as volunteers for individuals, and community, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations