Social support and networks in health promotion of older people: a case study in Brazil

Impact of living patterns and social participation on the health vulnerability of urban and rural older persons in Jiangsu Province, China

BACKGROUND

This study analyzes the influence of living patterns and social participation on the health vulnerability of older people in urban and rural areas and provides a reference for addressing this vulnerability.

METHODS

A total of 3500 participants aged 60 years and above from Jiangsu Province, China, were surveyed. The vulnerability index, which evaluates self-rated health, risk of falling, general pain or discomfort, chronic diseases, emotional characteristics, depression, anxiety, is used to measure health vulnerability. A multiple linear regression model is used to evaluate the effects of living patterns and social participation on health vulnerability.

RESULTS

A certain level of health vulnerability exists among Chinese urban and rural older people. Living with family members has a positive effect on their health. Individuals who live alone have worse health and lower subjective well-being. Social participation significantly reduces the comprehensive levels of general health vulnerability, physical health vulnerability, and mental health vulnerability of older people. For urban older people, living with families reduces the level of physical and mental health vulnerability, whereas living alone significantly increases health vulnerability. Living patterns significantly affect the psychological vulnerability of rural older people. Social participation has an important impact on the health of older people who live alone, especially on the mental health vulnerability of older people who live alone in urban areas.

CONCLUSION

Living patterns and social participation are important factors that affect the health vulnerability of older people in both urban and rural areas. Social participation has a significant effect on the health of older people who live alone. In particular, for older people who live alone in cities, being socially active can help change their "sedentary" lifestyle, thereby promoting physical and mental health and reducing vulnerability.

Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To address the care needs of older adults, it is important to identify and understand the forms of care support older adults received. This systematic review aims to examine the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care and the factors that influenced their networks.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted by searching six databases from inception to January 31, 2023. The review included primary studies focusing on older adults receiving long-term care, encompassing both informal and formal care. To assess the risk of bias in the included studies, validated appraisal tools specifically designed for different study types were utilized. Network analysis was employed to identify the grouping of study concepts, which subsequently formed the foundation for describing themes through narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

We identified 121 studies relating to the formal and informal care of older adults' networks. A variety of social ties were examined by included studies. The most commonly examined sources of care support were family members (such as children and spouses) and friends. Several factors were consistently reported to influence the provision of informal care, including the intensity of networks, reciprocity, and geographical proximity. In terms of formal care utilization, older age and poor health status were found to be associated with increased use of healthcare services. Additionally, physical limitations and cognitive impairment were identified as factors contributing to decreased social engagement.

CONCLUSION

This review found that older people were embedded within a diverse network. The findings of this review emphasize the importance of recognizing and incorporating the diversity of social networks in care plans and policies to enhance the effectiveness of interventions and improve the overall well-being of older adults.