OBJECTIVES: The advantages of social participation for older adults are well established and have been adopted in aging policy frameworks. However, little is known about the social participation of frail older adults. This research examined the types of social interaction of very frail older adults and the factors influencing this participation. METHOD: Interviews with 38 very frail older adults were analyzed using Levasseur and colleagues' (Levasseur, Richard, Gauvin, & Raymond (2010). Inventory and analysis of definitions of social participation found in the aging literature: Proposed taxonomy of social activities. Social Science and Medicine (1982), 71, 2141-2149) taxonomy activity levels of involvement with others. A qualitative hybrid approach with inductive and deductive thematic analyses was used. RESULTS: Participants often disengaged from activities with high involvement with others, preferring activities with less involvement. Low-key participation emerged as an important type of social participation enabling frail older adults to remain engaged in society. Key factors that influenced social participation were functional decline, and the physical (e.g., traffic, the disappearance of local stores) and social environment (e.g., social networks and the presence of meeting places such as community centers). DISCUSSION: Findings advance our knowledge and recognition of the different ways frail older adults participate in society. Despite their frailty, older adults wish to stay socially active. Focusing on the social environment in the frameworks and policies of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities will benefit these individuals.
OBJECTIVES: The advantages of social participation for older adults are well established and have been adopted in aging policy frameworks. However, little is known about the social participation of frail older adults. This research examined the types of social interaction of very frail older adults and the factors influencing this participation. METHOD: Interviews with 38 very frail older adults were analyzed using Levasseur and colleagues' (Levasseur, Richard, Gauvin, & Raymond (2010). Inventory and analysis of definitions of social participation found in the aging literature: Proposed taxonomy of social activities. Social Science and Medicine (1982), 71, 2141-2149) taxonomy activity levels of involvement with others. A qualitative hybrid approach with inductive and deductive thematic analyses was used. RESULTS:Participants often disengaged from activities with high involvement with others, preferring activities with less involvement. Low-key participation emerged as an important type of social participation enabling frail older adults to remain engaged in society. Key factors that influenced social participation were functional decline, and the physical (e.g., traffic, the disappearance of local stores) and social environment (e.g., social networks and the presence of meeting places such as community centers). DISCUSSION: Findings advance our knowledge and recognition of the different ways frail older adults participate in society. Despite their frailty, older adults wish to stay socially active. Focusing on the social environment in the frameworks and policies of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities will benefit these individuals.
Authors: Akira Teramura; Yumi Kimura; Kosuke Hamada; Yasuko Ishimoto; Masato Kawamori Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-27 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Jianbo Han; Edwin H W Chan; Esther H K Yung; Queena K Qian; Patrick T I Lam Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Marla K Beauchamp; Brenda Vrkljan; Renata Kirkwood; Elisabeth Vesnaver; Luciana G Macedo; Heather Keller; Janie Astephen-Wilson; Nazmul Sohel; Tara Noble; Nicholas Dietrich; Paula Gardner; K Bruce Newbold; Darren Scott Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-12-16 Impact factor: 2.692