Social Well-being Of Older Adults Research Articles

Development and validation of an art-inspired multimodal interactive technology system for a multi-component intervention for older people: a pilot study

IntroductionThe World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the presence of a significant body of research on the positive effects of the arts on health, considering a variety of factors including physical well-being, quality of life, and social and community impact. The model that underlies cultural welfare puts the performing arts, visual arts, and cultural heritage at the service of people personal and societal well-being. The potential connections between movements of the body and artistic content have been extensively studied over time, considering movement as a non-verbal language with a universal character.MethodsThis pilot study presents the results of the validation of an innovative multimodal system, the DanzArTe-Emotional Wellbeing Technology, designed to support active and participative experience of older people providing physical and cognitive activation through a full-body physical interaction with a traditional visual work of art of religious subject. DanzArTe supports a replicable treatment protocol for multidimensional frailty, administered through a low cost and scalable technological platform capable of generating real-time visual and auditory feedback (interactive sonification) from the automated analysis of individual as well as joint movement expressive qualities. The study involved 45 participants, 23 of whom participated in the DanzArTe program and 22 who were included in the control group.ResultsThe two groups were similar in terms of age (p = 0.465) and gender (p = 0.683). The results showed that the DanzArTe program had a positive impact on participants' self-perceived psychological health and well-being (Mean Psychological General Well-Being Index—Short T1 = 19.6 ± 4.3 Vs. T2 = 20.8 ± 4.9; p = 0.029). The same trend was not observed in the control group (p = 0.389).DiscussionThe findings suggest that such programs may have a significant impact particularly on the mental and social well-being of older adults and could be a valuable tool for promoting healthy aging and improving quality of life.

Arts and creativity interventions for improving health and wellbeing in older adults: a systematic literature review of economic evaluation studies

BackgroundAs the population ages, older people account for a larger proportion of the health and social care budget. A significant body of evidence suggests that arts and creativity interventions can improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older adults, however the value and/or cost-effectiveness of such interventions remains unclear.MethodsWe systematically reviewed the economic evidence relating to such interventions, reporting our findings according to PRISMA guidelines. We searched bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Econlit and Web of Science and NHSEED), trial registries and grey literature. No language or temporal restrictions were applied. Two screening rounds were conducted independently by health economists experienced in systematic literature review. Methodological quality was assessed, and key information extracted and tabulated to provide an overview of the published literature. A narrative synthesis without meta-analysis was conducted.ResultsOnly six studies were identified which provided evidence relating to the value or cost-effectiveness of arts and creativity interventions to improve health and wellbeing in older adults. The evidence which was identified was encouraging, with five out of the six studies reporting an acceptable probability of cost-effectiveness or positive return on investment (ranging from £1.20 to over £8 for every £1 of expenditure). However, considerable heterogeneity was observed with respect to study participants, design, and outcomes assessed. Of particular concern were potential biases inherent in social value analyses.ConclusionsDespite many studies reporting positive health and wellbeing benefits of arts and creativity interventions in this population, we found meagre evidence on their value or cost-effectiveness. Such evidence is costly and time-consuming to generate, but essential if innovative non-pharmacological interventions are to be introduced to minimise the burden of illness in this population and ensure efficient use of public funds. The findings from this review suggests that capturing data on the value and/or cost-effectiveness of such interventions should be prioritised; furthermore, research effort should be directed to developing evaluative methods which move beyond the confines of current health technology assessment frameworks, to capture a broader picture of ‘value’ more applicable to arts and creativity interventions and public health interventions more generally.PROSPERO registrationCRD42021267944 (14/07/2021).

Longitudinal Association Between Perceived Availability of Home- and Community-Based Services and All-Cause Mortality Among Chinese Older Adults: A National Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Home- and community-based services (HCBS) may contribute to lowering mortality and enhancing quality of life among older adults. Limited research, however, has examined this relationship in the Chinese context. This study explored the longitudinal association between perceived availability of HCBS and all-cause mortality among Chinese older adults. This cohort study included 8,102 individuals aged 65 years and older from the 2011, 2014, and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. HCBS included daily life assistance, medical care services, emotional support and social services, and reconciliation and legal aid services. The association between perceived availability of HCBS and all-cause mortality was investigated using Cox proportional hazards models. Emotional support and social services were negatively associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78 ~ 0.95, P = .004). Daily life assistance, medical care services, and reconciliation and legal aid services were not significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Providing community-level emotional support and social services may reduce the risk of death. Focusing on the mental health and social well-being of older adults is just as important as caring for their physical health.

Smart Speaker and ICT Use in Relationship With Social Connectedness During the Pandemic: Loneliness and Social Isolation Found in Older Adults in Low-Income Housing.

Social well-being of older adults living in low-income housing was disproportionately affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We explored low-income residents' experiences of social isolation and loneliness and strategies to remain socially connected during the pandemic. As part of a larger, 3-phase user-centered design study, we conducted a qualitative study using focus groups to gain insights into social isolation experiences and the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs), including smart speakers, in social connectedness (N = 25, 76% African American). We also collected survey data to describe social isolation, loneliness, and current ICT use in the sample. Participants included both smart speaker users and nonusers. Experiences of social isolation and loneliness varied by participants' sociodemographic characteristics and previous experiences with smart speakers. Qualitative analysis showed participants demonstrated coping strategies developed during the pandemic to adapt to new norms of connecting with others, including technology-enabled social interactions. Participants expressed a strong desire to build community together in their facilities and highlighted the potential role of smart speakers in making meaningful social connections, encompassing safety checks to have a means for emergencies, and providing a virtual companion. Access, digital literacy, training, security, and privacy issues were discussed as factors affecting their adoption of new ICT for enhanced social connectedness. This study highlights the importance of understanding the unique social isolation experience, demographics, and social determinants of health of low-income residents to develop ICT-based interventions for social connectedness.

O.1.2-1 ACTIVE-AGE@home: a home-based functional exercise program for community dwelling frail older adults: mixed method study

Abstract Purpose The world population is ageing rapidly because of longer life expectancy and shrinking fertility rates. Not all older adults age in a healthy way. Evidence-based estimates indicate that 35-40% of the older adults are in a frail or prefrail state. Multi-component physical activity (PA) programs have shown to be effective to tackle frailty. However, only a scarce amount of the older adults succeed to overcome barriers towards PA. This pilot study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based, functional PA program, ACTIVE-AGE@home, in frail community dwelling older adults. Methods In a mixed method design, a single-blind pragmatic randomized trial with two intervention groups (light (n = 29) and intensive (n = 18) version of ACTIVE-AGE@home) and one control group (n = 23) was conducted. In addition, qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews, pre-and post-intervention, to reveal the participant’s subjective experience regarding the program. Results The arm curl test (p = 0.03), balance and gate (p = 0.052) and also independence, participation and health related quality of life (borderline significant) showed positive effects in favor for the most intensive version of ACTIVE-AGE@home compared to the control group. Nearly all participants in both intervention groups experienced positive effects regarding: fitness (90%), stability (80%), agility (70%), confidence (63%), resilient (90%) and 63% had less fear of falling. The training program was considered acceptable (95%). Conclusion Literature showed clear impact of PA on the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of older adults. These findings were confirmed in this pilot study. ACTIVE-AGE@home shows great potential for further research. Therefore, starting 2023, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the updated ACTIVE-AGE@home program will be tested on a bigger scale. Support/funding source The pilot study was developed by funding of the Flemish Government at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences. The updated version of ACTIVE-AGE@home (2022-2026) is funded by The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) as a Applied Biomedical Research with a Primary Social finality.

Determinants of physical, psychological, and social well-being in older adults: a cross-sectional study in senior care facilities of Pakistan (2019/20)

BackgroundPublished research on senior care facilities in Pakistan is scarce and no large-scale study has been conducted to assess factors affecting well-being of older adults in these facilities. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of relocation autonomy, loneliness, and satisfaction with services along with socio-demographic characteristics on physical, psychological, and social well-being of older residents living in senior care facilities of Punjab, Pakistan.MethodsThis cross-sectional study collected data from 270 older residents living in 18 senior care facilities across 11 districts of Punjab, Pakistan from November 2019 to February 2020 using multistage random sampling. Existing reliable and valid scales were used to collect information from older adults related to relocation autonomy (Perceived Control Measure Scale), loneliness (de Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale), satisfaction with service quality (Service Quality Scale), physical and psychological well-being (General Well-Being Scale), and social well-being (Duke Social Support Index). A psychometric analysis of these scales was carried out followed by three separate multiple regression analyses to predict physical, psychological, and social well-being from socio-demographic variables and key independent variables (relocation autonomy, loneliness, and satisfaction with service quality).ResultsThe results of multiple regression analyses showed that the models predicting physical (R2 = 0.579), psychological (R2 = 0.654), and social well-being (R2 = 0.615) were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Number of visitors was a significant predictor of physical (b = 0.82, p = 0.01), psychological (b = 0.80, p < 0.001), and social (b = 2.40, p < 0.001) well-being. Loneliness significantly predicted physical (b = -0.14, p = 0.005), psychological (b = -0.19, p < 0.001), and social (b = -0.36, p < 0.001) well-being. Control over relocation process significantly predicted physical (b = 0.56, p < 0.001) and psychological (b = 0.36, p < 0.001) well-being. Satisfaction with services significantly predicted physical (b = 0.07, p < 0.001) and social (b = 0.08, p < 0.001) well-being.ConclusionPragmatic, equitable and cost-effective interventions are needed to improve the wellbeing of older residents living in senior care facilities. Friendly behavior of mobilizing staff and adjusted residents to facilitate new residents, therapeutic interventions such as relocation support programs, reminiscence therapy and intergenerational support, and increasing their exposure and connection to the outside world, can raise their physical, psychological, and social well-being.

Exploring associations of older adults with virtual nature: a randomised factorial online survey

Abstract Loneliness and social isolation are important social determinants of wellbeing of older adults. Conversational exchanges can promote connectedness between older adults, however, conversations may not always come easy. Research shows that exposure to nature-based stimuli such as pictures and videos can stimulate social aspirations and trigger associations that could facilitate conversations, in particular when nature scenery is perceived as fascinating, mysterious, spacious and suited for social interaction. Therefore, this study investigated whether exposure to these nature characteristics (high versus low) lead to associations that could act as conversational material. A randomised factorial design, using a virtual reality-based approach for experimental control, led to 17 different virtual representations of nature (VN). In total, 150 participants (60 years and older) were recruited for an online survey. Spontaneous associations were coded on personal engagement and valence. The number of associations was measured with one multiple-choice question. VN exposure successfully triggered personally engaging and positively valenced associations and were related to multiple associations, in particular when the VN were high on mystery. Furthermore, positive effects of VN exposure was more pronounced for participants with high (rather than low) levels of nature relatedness and many (rather than few) available nature opportunities. These findings indicate that VN exposure provides fertile ground for conversations as a means to promote connectedness and social wellbeing of older adults.

‘That is a place where I would want to go’: investigating digital nature to enhance social wellbeing among older adults

AbstractFeelings of disconnectedness and social isolation among older adults are increasingly recognised as important challenges of our times. Interestingly, nature interaction can stimulate social connectedness and enhance perceived social support, indicating that nature can contribute to social wellbeing. However, nature may not always be around or accessible for older adults. In such cases, digital nature could provide an alternative means for enjoying nature's benefits. To identify limitations and restrictions that older adults experience with respect to nature interaction, and to explore preferences with respect to digital nature and their potential for influencing social wellbeing, two studies are reported: a qualitative study comprising focus groups with Dutch care centre residents (N = 26) and a subsequent quantitative study (N = 200) testing effects of digital landscapes on social wellbeing measures. Findings from the focus groups indicate that opportunities for nature interaction and preferences for digital nature vary with mobility restrictions, whereas findings from the quantitative study testify to the potential of digital nature for enhancing social wellbeing and related emotions. These findings extend research on how (digital) nature interventions can contribute to the social wellbeing of older adults and pinpoint essential nature characteristics important for doing so.

Virtual reality and well-being in older adults: Results from a pilot implementation of virtual reality in long-term care.

IntroductionThis paper describes the findings of a pilot implementation project that explored the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in recreational programming to support the well-being of older adults in long-term care (LTC) homes.Methods32 Adults in four LTC homes participated in a pilot implementation project where they viewed VR experiences of popular locations in Canada created especially for this project. Data in this paper are based on multiple viewing experiences (n = 102) over a two-week period.ResultsVR appeared to be an effective distraction from pain for the participants. Participants of this study found the VR experiences to be enjoyable and were relaxed and happy while viewing them. Most participants were attentive or focused while viewing the VR experiences, and the experiences were found to be a source of reminiscence for some of the participants. Participants related well to others around them during a majority of the experiences and the VR experiences were a point of conversation between the staff and the participants.ConclusionThe findings from this pilot implementation reveal that VR shows potential to enhance the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of older adults living in LTC, including those living with cognitive impairment.

Intergenerational connections to improve social well-being of older adults with ADRD: A research protocol

Population-based aging studies allow researchers to study dementia and its correlates. Few include dementia diagnoses. Latent variable models have been used to create latent dementia indexes (LDI) using cognitive and functional ability to approximate dementia. The LDI is applied across diverse populations, but it is unclear whether gender affects its measurement properties. We assess whether the LDI can be used to measure dementia equivalently for men and women. We use the 2001-2003 Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (n=856, 355 men, 501 women). Cognitive ability was assessed using memory, executive function, attention, spatial ability, orientation, and language tasks. Functional ability was informant-reported. We used confirmatory factor analysis to test factorial invariance across gender and compare latent means to determine which group had lower means, consistent with greater dementia likelihood. Model fitting results suggest metric invariance of the LDI but only partial scalar invariance across gender. Latent mean differences in the LDI were observed (Mdiff = .39, SE = 0.19, p = .042), with women lower, on average, than men. Correlations between LDI and dementia diagnosis were stronger for both men (r=-.82) and women (r=-.85) than correlations between dementia and Mini-Mental Status Exam scores (-.69 and -.73, respectively). The LDI may be reliably and validly used to measure and compare dementia likelihood in men and women. Results suggest lower LDI scores in women, indicating greater dementia likelihood. Gender differences may be partially attributed to differences in measurement properties of items, possibly due to gender differences in educational returns and employment factors.

Importance of socioeconomic factors in predicting tooth loss among older adults in Japan: Evidence from a machine learning analysis

Prevalence of tooth loss has increased due to population aging. Tooth loss negatively affects the overall physical and social well-being of older adults. Understanding the role of socio-demographic and other predictors associated with tooth loss that are measured in non-clinical settings can be useful in community-level prevention. We used high-dimensional epidemiological data to investigate important factors in predicting tooth loss among older adults over a 6-year period of follow-up. Data was from participants of 2010 and 2016 waves of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES). A total of 19,407 community-dwelling functionally independent older adults aged 65 and older were included in the analysis. Tooth loss was measured as moving from a higher number of teeth category at the baseline to a lower number of teeth category at the follow-up. Out of 119 potential predictors, age, sex, number of teeth, denture use, chewing difficulty, household income, employment, education, smoking, fruit and vegetable consumption, community participation, time since last health check-up, having a hobby, and feeling worthless were selected using Boruta algorithm. Within the 6-year follow-up, 3013 individuals (15.5%) reported incidence of tooth loss. People who experienced tooth loss were older (72.9 ± 5.2 vs 71.8 ± 4.7), and predominantly men (18.3% vs 13.1%). Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine learning prediction model had a mean accuracy of 90.5% (±0.9%). A visual analysis of machine learning predictions revealed that the prediction of tooth loss was mainly driven by demographic (older age), baseline oral health (having 10–19 teeth, wearing dentures), and socioeconomic (lower household income, manual occupations) variables. Predictors related to wide a range of determinants contribute towards tooth loss among older adults. In addition to oral health related and demographic factors, socioeconomic factors were important in predicting future tooth loss. Understanding the behaviour of these predictors can thus be useful in developing prevention strategies for tooth loss among older adults.

\u201cIt changed everything\u201d: The Safe Home Care qualitative study of the COVID-19 pandemic\u2019s impact on home care aides, clients, and managers

BackgroundHome care (HC) services are crucial to the health and social wellbeing of older adults, people with disabilities, and the chronically ill. Although the HC sector is growing rapidly in the USA, there is high job turnover among the HC aide workforce. HC provides an important alternative to facility-based care, yet it has often been overlooked within the larger health care system: most recently, in COVID-19 pandemic planning. The objective of the study was to characterize qualitatively the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on three key HC stakeholders: clients, aides, and agency managers.MethodsThe study included 37 phone interviews conducted during April – November 2020: HC clients (n = 9), aides (n = 16), and agency managers (n = 12). All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis of the transcripts followed the grounded theory approach. The interview transcriptions were coded line-by-line into hierarchical themes with NVivo 12 software which allowed weighting of themes based on the number of interviews where they were coded.ResultsFear of infection and transmission among HC clients and aides were strong themes. Infection prevention and control became the top priority guiding day-to-day business operations at agencies; sourcing adequate personal protective equipment for staff was the most urgent task. HC aides expressed concerns for their clients who showed signs of depression, due to increased isolation during the pandemic. The disappearance of comforting touch – resulting from physical distancing practices – altered the expression of compassion in the HC aide-client care relationship.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the pandemic has further increased psychosocial job demands of HC aides. Increased isolation of clients may be contributing to a wider public health problem of elder loneliness and depression. To support the HC stakeholders during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, for future pandemic planning or other health emergencies, it is important to improve HC aide job retention. This action could also ease the serious care services shortage among the growing population of older adults.

Exploring the impact of public transport including free and subsidised on the physical, mental and social well-being of older adults: a literature review

ABSTRACT Physical activity is one of the most important interventions to improve the health and well-being of populations. Gaining sufficient physical activity can often be difficult for older people, who are less likely to be involved in formal exercise. Older people are also more likely to suffer from social isolation. Active transport is an ideal opportunity to increase both the physical and social well-being of older populations. This literature review investigates the impact of public transport on the health and well-being of older adults and discusses policy implications. A literature search was conducted in CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and ProQuest Social Science databases to identify relevant articles. Fifty-eight articles were identified. Despite the prevalence of public transport including free and subsidised services worldwide, there is only a small body of research on the impact on older people. While limited, the literature on free and subsidised public transport and older people highlights that access has clear benefits for health and well-being. Public transport both promote active transport by encouraging older people to incorporate incidental activity into daily routines. We review literature showing that active transport positively affects older people’s physical health, as well as their mental health by enabling them to maintain social networks, thus reducing social isolation.

Sensory Health and Social Well-Being

Scientific inquiry into the psychological and social issues surrounding age-related sensory impairments has focused on ways in which the conditions are a catalyst for negative outcomes. However, investigating the patterns associated with negative life events can offer guidance on ways to circumvent or mitigate negative outcomes, and even to foster and facilitate the positive outcomes of growth and thriving. This symposium will present findings from individual studies that describe how social well-being among older adults with sensory impairments can be protected, by assessing social isolation as a point of intervention to maintain cognitive function and to promote post-traumatic growth, and by understanding the unique social considerations relevant to Hispanic older adults, and to improve the physical safety of older drivers with sensory and cognitive impairment by reducing exposure-adjusted motor vehicle crash risk. Authors will present both cross sectional and longitudinal, population based data, and will explore patterns and relationships between known variables associated with sensory impairments including depression, cognitive processing, cognitive functioning, social network, social isolation, driving patterns, and posttraumatic growth. Findings from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers (LongROAD) study, the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), and data from a mixed methods study, underscore the reality that the negative outcomes associated with age related sensory impairments are not necessarily imminent and that there may be multiple intervention points to optimize the social well-being of older adults with sensory impairments.

Generativity and Social Well-Being in Older Women: Expectations Regarding Aging Matter.

Beliefs about aging can contribute to health and well-being in older adults. Feeling generative, or that one is caring for and contributing to the well-being of others, can also impact health and well-being. In this study, we hypothesized that those with more positive expectations regarding aging (ERA) in the mental health domain would report greater levels of perceived social support (PSS) and lower levels of loneliness in response to a generativity intervention (vs control condition). Participants in this study (n = 73, 100% female) were randomly assigned to a 6-week generativity condition, which involved writing about life experiences and sharing advice with others, or to a control condition, which involved writing about neutral topics. Pre- and postintervention, PSS, and feelings of loneliness were measured. Those in the generativity condition with more positive ERA in the mental health domain reported greater PSS and lower loneliness postintervention. These results highlight the importance of psychological factors, such as ERA, in moderating the efficacy of interventions to promote social well-being in older adults.

ORAL CANCER SCREENING IN NON-INSTITUTIONALIZED OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

The older population in the United States is growing at an unprecedented rate. Oral diseases such as oral cancer can affect physical, psychological, and social well-being in older adults. Oral cancer screening can prevent development of the disease in high-risk individuals. The purpose of this research was to assess determinants of preventive oral health behavior including oral cancer screening in noninstitutionalized older adults living in rural/medically underserved communities of southeast Georgia. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design was used. Surveys were administered to 206 individuals aged 50 and older. Phone interviews were conducted with 22 individuals from the survey sample and 11 key informants. The majority of the participants (83.01%) said they had never been examined for oral cancer by a doctor or a dentist. Those who correctly recognized the most common sign of oral cancer were about three times more likely (OR=3.75; 95% CI: 1.04 – 13.50) to have had an exam for oral cancer (p=0.04). The survey participants who lived alone were more likely (OR = 4.39; 95% CI = 0.95 – 20.26) to have been examined for oral cancer (p = 0.05). During the interview, older adult participants rarely mentioned oral cancer with regards to an unhealthy mouth. The interview participants revealed that living alone gave them more time to pay attention to their health. For the older adults, prevention of oral diseases was grounded in the autonomy in their own behaviors, while the key informants saw more macro community and systems- level factors as the solution.

노래 중심의 음악활동이 노인의 지역공동체 의식과 사회적 안녕감에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 노래 중심의 음악활동이 노인의 지역공동체 의식과 사회적 안녕감에 미치는 영 향에 대해 알아보는 것을 목적으로 하였다. 연구 대상은 경기도 Y군 Y교회의 노인대학 프 로그램에 참여하는 만 65세 이상의 노인 46명으로 이 중 실험집단의 23명은 노래 중심의 음악활동을, 통제집단의 23명은 일과 중 자유 시간을 갖도록 하였다. 실험 전과 후에 지역 공동체 의식 척도와 사회적 안녕감 척도로 집단 간의 점수를 측정하였다. 연구 결과는 다음 과 같다. 첫째, 실험집단의 지역공동체 의식의 하위요인 중 개인의 욕구 충족 점수에서 통 제집단과 비교하여 통계적으로 유의하게 증가하였다. 한편 실험집단의 지역공동체 의식 사 후 점수는 사전 점수와 비교하여 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 보였다. 둘째, 실험집단의 사회 적 안녕감 점수 차이가 통제집단과 비교하여 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 보였고 모든 하위 요인 점수에서 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 보였다. 또한 노래 중심의 음악활동에 참여한 실 험집단의 사회적 안녕감 사후 점수는 사전 점수와 비교하여 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 보 였다. 이러한 연구 결과는 노래 중심의 음악활동이 노인의 지역공동체 의식, 사회적 안녕감 향상에 긍정적인 영향을 주었음을 시사한다.

A mixed methods case study\xa0exploring the impact of membership of a multi-activity, multicentre community group on social wellbeing of older adults

BackgroundSocial wellbeing factors such as loneliness and social support have a major impact on the health of older adults and can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing. However, with increasing age, social contacts and social support typically decrease and levels of loneliness increase. Group social engagement appears to have additional benefits for the health of older adults compared to socialising individually with friends and family, but further research is required to confirm whether group activities can be beneficial for the social wellbeing of older adults.MethodsThis one-year longitudinal mixed methods study investigated the effect of joining a community group, offering a range of social and physical activities, on social wellbeing of adults with a mean age of 70. The study combined a quantitative survey assessing loneliness and social support (n = 28; three time-points, analysed using linear mixed models) and a qualitative focus group study (n = 11, analysed using thematic analysis) of members from Life Activities Clubs Victoria, Australia.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in loneliness (p = 0.023) and a trend toward an increase in social support (p = 0.056) in the first year after joining. The focus group confirmed these observations and suggested that social support may take longer than 1 year to develop. Focus groups also identified that group membership provided important opportunities for developing new and diverse social connections through shared interest and experience. These connections were key in improving the social wellbeing of members, especially in their sense of feeling supported or connected and less lonely. Participants agreed that increasing connections was especially beneficial following significant life events such as retirement, moving to a new house or partners becoming unwell.ConclusionsBecoming a member of a community group offering social and physical activities may improve social wellbeing in older adults, especially following significant life events such as retirement or moving-house, where social network changes. These results indicate that ageing policy and strategies would benefit from encouraging long-term participation in social groups to assist in adapting to changes that occur in later life and optimise healthy ageing.

Relationship Between Social Function and Social Well-Being in Older Adults

Relationship Between Social Function and Social Well-Being in Older Adults

The effects of place attachment on social well-being in older adults

ABSTRACTSocial well-being and place attachment are two important concepts in health and quality of life of older adults. There are few studies on the relationship between these concepts at the individual level. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of place attachment dimensions on social well-being dimensions in older adults. This study was a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted on 550 community-dwelling older adults in a metropolitan area of Tehran. Participants were selected using a multistage cluster sampling approach. A Persian version of the Social Well-being Scale and the Place Attachment Scale were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using an independent t test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis by IBM SPSS statistics V.22 software. Findings showed that place identity, place dependence, and social relations in neighborhood explained, respectively: (β = .34), (β = .26), (β = .09) of the variance in social integration; (β = .36), (β = .23), (β = .18) of the variance in social acceptance; (β = .24), (β = .23), (β = .16) of the variance in social contribution; (β = .27), (β = .22), (β = .17) of the variance in the social actualization. In social coherence, place identity (β = .33) and social relations in the neighborhood (β = .13) were significant predictors (p < .05). The results of this study revealed that the place attachment is a strong predictor for the social well-being of older adults. Any change in the place of attachment leads to changes in the social well-being of the elderly.