scholarly journals Environmental Gerontology During COVID-19: Aging in Place Since the Pandemic Onset

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 316-316
Author(s):  
Melissa Cannon ◽  
Jessica Finlay ◽  
Graham Rowles
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
The Social ◽  
Environmental Gerontology ◽  
Community Based Services

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is fundamentally changing neighborhood landscapes as we shelter in place and adjust our lifestyles. To age-in-place is to live in one’s home and/or community “safely, independently, and comfortably.” The ability to age-in-place is a public health priority for all, regardless of income or health status, and requires a variety of community resources to be sustainable. Since the pandemic onset, access to neighborhood resources was limited to reduce transmission risks. Changes to economic arrangements and socio-spatial norms have profoundly impacted daily life, though how these influence health and well-being is largely unknown. It is likely that these effects may vary in different communities and contexts; for example, neighborhoods that are able to self-organize to safely provide social support and resources may fare better. This symposium brings together cutting-edge studies in urban and rural U.S. places to explicate how the pandemic is transforming aging-in-place experiences and perspectives. The first presentation shows how rapidly community-based services have adjusted operations to meet the needs of their communities. The second presentation explores strategies to provide social support in rural communities. The third presentation highlights the social health needs of a subset of older adults who had not formed friendships with their neighbors. Together, these studies suggest that close examinations of aging-in-place conditions and mechanisms from organizational, socio-spatial, and social network perspectives are evermore important amid a pandemic. We discuss the implications of these empirical findings in relation to emerging theories within environmental gerontology.

scholarly journals PROMOTING AGING IN PLACE VIA RESEARCH, POLICY, AND PRACTICE IN AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S26-S26
Author(s):  
Kathy Black
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Professional Groups ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Community Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global Age

Abstract The majority of Americans overwhelmingly prefer to age in place and in the communities in which they reside. Age-friendly communities support aging in place by focusing attention on features both inside and outside of the home. The global age-friendly community model provides a framework that requires assessing community-based older adults’ needs and preferences about, and developing subsequent action towards, features of the social, service and built environment including housing and transportation which are considered essential to aging successfully at home. This presentation discusses the intersect between research, policy and practice in an age-friendly community which utilized micro-level findings from older adults (n = 1, 172) to enact macro-level collaborations across local and statewide government and professional groups to facilitate aging in place across the domains of housing and transportation.

Supporting Aging-in-Place Well: Findings From a Cluster Analysis of the Reasons for Aging-in-Place and Perceptions of Well-Being

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Ahn ◽  
Hyun Joo Kwon ◽  
Jiyun Kang
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Hispanic White

Prior research on gerontology and housing has frequently adopted a perspective that aging-in-place is the “goal.” Despite these meaningful results and policy implications, opportunities to explore consequences of aging-in-place, such as the association of this with overall well-being, have been overlooked. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating perceptions of well-being that could act as a driver or result of aging-in-place. With a nationwide random sample of non-Hispanic White, older individuals (60+), living in their homes ( N = 328), three segments of senior residents based on their reasons for aging-in-place were identified. Results reinforce the importance of community-based integrative programs and policies by indicating that the three identified clusters were not homogeneous; however, inclusive community-based supports and services can provide what each cluster needs to successfully age-in-place. Discussion provides a perspective on how to support successful aging-in-place, including the role of the federal government in funding and legislation.

Aging in Place: A National Analysis of Home- and Community-Based Medicaid Services for Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carli Friedman ◽  
Joe Caldwell ◽  
Angela Rapp Kennedy ◽  
Mary C. Rizzolo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Nursing Facilities ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Services And Supports ◽  
Aging Adults ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
Community Based Services

The number of Americans needing long-term services and supports (LTSS) is projected to more than double in the coming decades largely due to an aging baby boomer population, meaning paying for LTSS will become an even greater challenge for American families and the country. Despite the benefits of aging in place, there remains a long-standing institutional bias within the Medicaid program, where services in nursing facilities are mandatory while home- and community-based services (HCBS) are mostly optional for states to cover. This study examined HCBS 1915(c) waivers ( n = 61 waivers) for older adults to categorize and compare service priorities. Findings revealed waivers for older adults were primarily focused on supporting individuals in their own homes to age in place. However, findings also revealed HCBS waivers are an underutilized mechanism for funding the LTSS of older adults. As states continue to deal with an increasing population of aging adults, with and without disabilities, the HCBS waiver option will continue to be an important component of a state’s service system.

scholarly journals Rural Residents’ Hopes and Fears about Aging in Place: The Need to Improve Access to Aging Resources

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 621-621
Author(s):  
Allyson Brothers ◽  
Yuquin Jiao ◽  
Sue Schneider ◽  
Kaitlyn Wright
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Resource Needs ◽  
Available Resources ◽  
At Home

Abstract To support older adults’ preferences to age in place, home and community-based aging-related resources are available, but are often under-utilized. Many barriers prevent individuals from accessing aging-related resources, especially in rural and geographically isolated locations. Therefore, we set out to better understand the perspectives of community members who plan to age in place in rural areas. We administered a survey as part of a broader university-community partnership called Senior Access Points (SAP), which addresses aging-related resource access. Participants were N = 210 individuals living in rural regions across Northern Colorado, ranging from 37 to 94 years old (mean age = 68.91, SD = 8.85). We assessed hopes and worries about growing older at home, and awareness of available resources. Two independent coders applied a pre-determined coding scheme, then achieved consensus ratings. An overwhelming majority of participants affirmed the importance of being able to remain in their current home (94.8%) or community (95.3%) as they age. Top hopes for aging in place centered around health/medical; housing/home services; and independent rural lifestyle. The top worries were related to health/medical; housing/home services, and transportation. Resource awareness was low: 43.3% of all participants were not aware of any available resources. Overwhelmingly, rural residents hope to grow older at home, but may not know how to connect to resources that support this goal. The resource needs we identified are being used to inform community-driven approaches to improve both awareness and availability of community resources in these rural communities.

Perceived social support and burden of care of male and female caregivers of patient with schizophrenia

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Narendra Kumar Singh ◽  
Nishant Goyal
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Burden Of Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Difference

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with a high familial, social and economic burden. Schizophrenia is also associated with a high level of disability which may create impediments on the social and economic areas of the patients as well as on their respective family networks. Families with schizophrenia may encounter problems such as impairment of health and well being of other family members, restriction of social activities of the family members and shrinking of support from the social network. Aims: The present study examined the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study examining the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 60 (30 male and 30 female) caregivers of the patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia as per ICD-10-DCR. Results and Conclusion: This study revealed that male caregivers perceived more social support and less burden of care as compared to female caregivers. Key words: Gender, social support, burden

Social Capital and Sustainable Health Care: An Analysis of Community Based Palliative Care Model of Kerala

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Azeez. E.P
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Voluntary Organizations ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Social ◽  
Palliative Care Units

Social Capital is the most crucial asset which significantly influence the efficacy and resilience of any community. Social capital is a dependent variable that depends upon the competence and coherence of the individuals in the community and mode of social relationships, trust and networks they maintain. It is one of the most sustainable social resources that originate from human relations and results on the mutual support of people. Utilization of Social capital has a wide applicability in the process of social inclusion, especially in dealing with the vulnerable and disadvantaged sections in the community itself. Voluntary organizations are very keen to utilize the social capital for community/social services and community development in a sustainable manner. Community based de-institutionalized Palliative Care is one of the foremost among such organizations that made social capital in a strategic way for social inclusion and community well being. This paper analyses the extent to which different elements of social capital helps in initiating the sustainable community based palliative care movement by assessing the unique intervention strategies carried out by the palliative care. This paper explores conceptual questions of how social capital and voluntary community based services are correlated. A case study method was adopted for the study in which ten palliative care units were analyzed. The results show that a number of social capital elements are playing a vital role in the sustainability of community palliative care movement in Kerala.

Weak ties matter: Social network dynamics of mobile media multiplexity and their impact on the social support and psychological well-being experienced by migrant workers

2021 ◽  
pp. 205015792110011
Author(s):  
Piper Liping Liu ◽  
Tien Ee Dominic Yeo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Mobile Media ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
The Social ◽  
Media Multiplexity ◽  
Mobile Ict

This study investigates the contextual and relational characteristics that underlie people’s information and communication technology (ICT) use and the implications for their well-being. We contextualize this investigation according to migrants, because they are faced with disruptions to their personal networks in the migration process that may attenuate the availability of social support and negatively affect their mental health. Migrants tend to be proficient in using mobile ICT to connect with different social ties to fulfill their needs, which potentially makes a difference to their psychological well-being. Through a survey of 504 internal migrant workers in China, we examined the social network factors that underlie multiple mobile ICT use and the attendant influences on social support and psychological well-being. Redressing the overemphasis on the importance of strong ties in extant literature, this study highlights the salience of mobile media multiplexity (i.e., the use of multiple mobile communication channels for social interactions) in weak tie communication and the greater contribution of weak ties toward social support and psychological well-being than strong ties. Our findings suggest that mobile-mediated communicative relationships with newer and more distanced social connections outside their immediate circles enhance the well-being of migrants. We contend that media multiplexity vis-à-vis weak ties underscores the reconfiguration of migrants’ communicative relationships following the separation from original ties and facilitates rewarding interactions with new ties.

scholarly journals Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers Through Integrative Service Learning During COVID

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 958-958
Author(s):  
Keith Chan ◽  
Sarah LaFave ◽  
Maggie Ratnayake ◽  
Christina Marsack-Topolewski ◽  
Jillian Graves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Hands On Learning

Abstract There is a growing population of older adults who are living longer and acquiring chronic illness and disabilities, making it difficult for them to complete everyday activities and age in place. More than 2 million of these older adults are homebound and 5 million need help leaving their homes. They experience social isolation, food insecurity, and lack of connection to community resources which has intensified since the pandemic. Integrative service learning models can provide home-based support to older adults while offering valuable, hands-on learning experiences for students. This study examined findings for a community-based program which trained university students to provide practical home-based support for older adults and their caregivers. Data was collected for 109 older adults who were connected with student trainees. Students provided services with groceries, companionship, and help accessing needed services. Findings from t-test results using the UCLA Loneliness Scale indicated that older adults reported less loneliness after engagement with students (mean difference = 6.15, t = 3.14, df = 82, p < 0.01). Qualitative process data suggested that older adults benefited from services and a connection to their assigned students prior to and during the pandemic. Student trainees reported that the experience enriched their learning and reaffirmed their commitment to working with older adults. Community-based service learning can address home-based needs of older adults and their caregivers and enhance learning opportunities for students. Policies and practice can support a pipeline of geriatric health professionals through innovative service learning models to benefit older adults, caregivers and students.

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