Addressing Social Isolation amongst Older
People in Dorset
Sharing the Experience….
Eleanor Jack
Dr Ann Hemingway
“The terms 'loneliness',
'social isolation' and 'living
alone' are often used
interchangeably, although
they are three distinct (but
linked) concepts.”
Emotional isolation and
social isolation are two
distinct dimensions of
loneliness in older people
(Van-Baarsen, (2001).
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Social Isolation in the Older Age Group
Figures.........
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• Half a million people aged over 65 spent Christmas
alone in 2009.
• According to Age Concern, more than one in 10 say they
always or often feel lonely, and nearly half consider
television their main form of company.
• More than a million people over 65 feel trapped in their
own homes
• More than 180,000 people over 65 say they have gone
for a whole week without speaking to friends, neighbours
or family.
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Locally…..
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More than 50% of those over 75yrs live on their own, and the Dorset region
is likely to be more highly affected due to the larger proportion of elderly
people choosing to retire by the coast.
In Bournemouth, 22.4 % of people are of retirement age – 3.5% higher than
the national average across England and Wales.
Around 30 % of Poole’s residents are aged 60 and over, while in
Christchurch, that figure is more than 36 %.
As a whole, Dorset has the second highest proportion of elderly people of
any county in Britain, second only to East Sussex, with 25.9 % of the
population over 65.
The closure of local services including shops, post offices and pubs have all
helped to isolate people even further.
Only 17 % of people over 65yrs use the internet, and only 50 % those over
50yrs have access to the web.
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Why are the older age group
more likely to become isolated?
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Why are the older age group more likely to become
isolated?
Ageing often brings changes in social relationships as well as a need for
(re) adjustment to changing life and personal circumstances as individuals
retire, give up/modify activities….. losses may include bereavement, moving
away, moving into new accommodation….. health losses may include
cognition (dementia/ stroke), mobility…. (Hammill, 2009)
These changes can lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation.
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What does it feel like to be socially isolated?
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“I can go for a whole week and not speak to anyone at all in person…
things are at their worst when you get poorly. You can’t look after
yourself and you can’t even get up for a glass of water. No-one’s there
and no-one cares if you’re ill.”
This loneliness is a killer. It’s worse than the fear I had of being bombed
in London during the war.”
“The politicians are trying. They do their best but there are so many of
us now. They haven’t much time for us.
There are other things going on in the world that they have to
look after. I am only a little blip.’”
‘Loneliness is like a cancer. It eats away at you until you feel destroyed
and empty inside.’
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Why do we need to consider Social
Isolation in the Older Age Group?
What does the research
tell us.......?
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So how do researchers perceive “Social Isolation”?
Two main forms of social isolation:
1) Objective isolation (i.e. physical separation
from others)
2) Subjective isolation (i.e. feelings of loneliness,
emotional distance, or lack of support from
others). (Yorke and Waite, 2009)
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However, others researchers crucially
suggest that it is the level of perceived social
isolation and sense of loneliness that
matters...... (Hammill, 2009)
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The Negative Health Impacts of Social Isolation
Previous research indicates that social isolation negatively
affects both physical and mental health, particularly among older
adults (House 2001; House 2002; Tomaka, Thompson, and Palacios 2006). These
negative health effects include all-cause mortality, morbidity, and
cardiovascular disease (House 2001).
The effects of social isolation have been compared in
magnitude to the damaging health effects of smoking
cigarettes and other major health risks (House 2001).
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The Positive Health Impacts of Social Involvement
The physiological effects of social involvement and the maintenance of
social ties can increase immune function (Cohen et al. 1997; Pressman et al. 2005)
and reduce cardiovascular and neuroendocrine damage related to
exposure to stress (Seeman et al. 1994).
Being embedded within a social network is thought to promote healthenhancing behaviors (Kinney et al. 2005) and to increase sense of control and
self-esteem (Cornman et al. 2003).
Social and productive activities are as effective as fitness activities in
lowering the risk of death
Enhanced social activities may help to increase the quality and length of
life (BMJ Vol. 319 21 August 1999 P.482)
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The Public Health Perspective
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Promoting Health and Wellbeing
Healthy active ageing should be encouraged
Participation in leisure, social, cultural & spiritual activities, for example, in the
community, helps older people maintain self esteem, maintain or create
supportive and caring relationships by fostering social integration and is the key
to staying informed (WHO, 2007).
The South West Strategic Health Authority aims to keep older people healthy
and shape services around their needs recognising the older age groups can be
particularly vulnerable and are more likely to experience health inequalities.
To maintain their health, older people need to be supported to take personal
responsibility for maximising their potential to live a healthy, fulfilling and
independent life (SWHA, 2008)
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Social Relationships are Important to All Ages
People who are embedded in a network of personal
relationships experience a higher level of wellbeing than those who are socially isolated and
they also tend to be healthier.
Factors?
1.
2.
3.
Identity and self respect: a personal network offers people a
social identity
Social integration; personal involvement and a feeling of security
Social support: practical and emotional support, companionship
-for the older age groups their personal and social functioning depends largely on the
social support they can get. (Machielse, 2006)
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Addressing Social Isolation In The Older Age Group
The Bournemouth University and Brendoncare Research Project
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Bournemouth University was commissioned by the
Brendoncare Charity to undertake a 3yr,
predominantly qualitative, research project
focusing on the impact that Brendoncare Clubs
may have on the experience of social isolation –
an issue, not only well-documented in the
literature, but also raised by club attendees
themselves.
Project activity began at the end of 2008 in
partnership with ten clubs based in Hampshire and
Dorset.
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Social Isolation and the Impact of Friendship Clubs
Main Objectives
•
1. To explore and describe the reasons as to why attendees come to the
clubs/volunteer, experience of barriers and expectations as well as the practical
pathways involved.
2. Explore perceptions of the impact of attending Eg. impacts on well being/mentalphysical health as described by those who take part in the study
3. Explore and describe the phenomenon of “social isolation” as experienced by
those affected.
4.Identify measures that may help reduce the occurrence of social isolation from a
older person’s perspective.
5. Develop a working partnership with external agencies ie. Brendoncare.
6. Meaningfully involve attendees, volunteers, and carers in the research study itself.
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Research Project – Brief Overview
The 10 Brendoncare Clubs from Dorset and Hampshire identified for inclusion in the
study were selected through negotiation with the head of Brendoncare Clubs to ensure
area spread and generalisability.
The project is being carried out by a BU Researcher supervised by a BU Research
Fellow.
Table1. Summary of Project Outline
Data source
Method of collection
Analysis
1. Attendees at the selected
Brendoncare Club.
Focus groups or interviews
as negotiated.
Thematic analysis
Collection
of
relevant
quantitative data eg. age,
gender, post-code from each
of the selected clubs – if
available and if permission
granted by attendees.
Numerical
descriptive
analysis of the quantitative
data.
2. Volunteers at the selected
Brendoncare Clubs
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Research Project – Progress
The researcher has informally visited (and thoroughly enjoyed!)
the Brendoncare Clubs to introduce herself and describe her role
within the study, as well as providing a general overview of the
study itself.
These visits have also provided the opportunity to chat with
members and staff about experiences of social isolation, and
what impact the clubs may have on this, as well as what
attendance at the clubs offers the members and volunteers
generally.
The researcher was also seeking club input in developing the
Consent Forms and Participant Information Sheets to be used in
the study.
Numerical data from 13 Brendoncare clubs was also collected
and analysed.
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Brief Overview of Findings
Thus Far....................
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The transport was
needed, valued
and appreciated
by the club
members. Many of
whom could not
otherwise attend
the clubs.
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Emerging Themes
The members outlined the reasons as to why they may be at risk
of becoming/being isolated – findings generally similar to the
literature but also including:
* Safety fears
* Fear of falling and
* General loss of confidence
Feeling isolated…….
•The members discussed social isolation within an objective and
subjective framework – as described in the literature.
•Attendance at the club provides the only contact with others for some
members, indeed the weekly club is the only source of conversation in
the entire week. Many members now live alone since the death of their
partner.
• The social contact/conversation can begin with the transport driver
who for some is also an important social contact.
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Emerging Themes
A Key Theme was Friendship and the impact this had on the
members
In terms of social relationships, the members felt that they not only
made new friends but enjoyed companionship and emotional
support (empathy and the sharing of similar life experiences, good
and bad)
(...confidant and community involvement Boldy, 2008)
“Who is that old person in the mirror?!”
There were benefits to be had from the practical information and
guidance from these relationships, and for some a reaffirming of
their social identity.
“We have a laugh about our aches and pains....”
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Emerging Themes
A Key Theme was Friendship and the impact this had on the
members
Emotional/romantic relationships are established and conducted, in
part, at the clubs.
.......Vincenzi and Grabosky
(1987) describe emotional
isolation as a deficiency in
intimacy and attachments
For the bereaved, the new friendships were key as often they had
subsequently moved away from established networks and friends to
be nearer family.........the clubs also provide a valuable support
through the grief process.....
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Emerging Themes
A Key Theme was Friendship and the impact this had on the
members
Some members, albeit not living alone, and/or having frequent
contact with their family still described feeling lonely as they did not
feel they were truly engaged with their family at a level they enjoyed.
They viewed attendance at the club as a welcome relief!
“I just like to get away from them!”
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Emerging Themes
A Key Theme was Friendship and the impact this had on the
members
Members described suddenly losing roles and responsibilities eg. by
having to move home/location or as grandchildren grow up.
“I had nothing to get up for.”
The members described feeling valued by friends and everyone at the
club.
“No-one else has time for our age group”
“We just don’t feel listened to.”
The members feel that the clubs acknowledge members as valuable
members of society with a wealth of life experience to share and draw
upon, often within the clubs themselves.
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Emerging Themes
A Key Theme was Friendship and the impact this had on the
members
The members appreciated the flexibility in attending the clubs. Just
like within friendships, there is no pressure eg. no pressure to attend
if members do not feel well either mentally or physically, or they
simply “don’t feel up to it”.
There is also no pressure to take part in any of the activities or days
out either, where cost may also be an influencing factor.
Many members described having been
isolated due to their limited income,
however, the clubs’ low cost of attendance
meant that an active social life was now
possible!
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Reflections……..
Have older people
discovered a solution for
combating social isolation
themselves?
Literally….THEMSELVES?
Is “facilitation” and
“enabling” the key to the
success of the
Friendship Clubs?
Is it about bringing
people together to
support each other and
providing a mechanism
for this to happen?
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Health and Wellbeing of the Older Adult
The Value of Social Involvement in Friendship Clubs
Findings from This Study
WELLBEING
Social Relationships
HEALTH
Improved self-esteem.
Improved quality of life.
Improved fitness
through club activities.
Established or
enhanced social ties.
Sense of empowerment
and control.
Enhanced social and
personal identity.
Role development.
Sense of personal
and community
involvement.
Practical and
emotional support.
Companionship.
Inclusivity.
Positive health
impacts.
Reduction in negative
impacts.
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To summarise......
This study so far succinctly highlights that
Friendship Clubs can be seen to help tackle the
challenge and subsequent effects of social
isolation for the older age group. The next stage
of the study is to undertake focus groups across
ten clubs to further establish and develop the
thematic research findings.
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Final Thoughts
“No man is an island.. “
(J Donne) Meditation XVII, 1624:
• Human beings do not thrive when isolated from others- social
creatures in general
• Developmental Psychology: emphasizes the social formation of the
mind and the role of the other in development throughout life (Leiman,
2002).
• We define ourselves and find our voices through the response of
another and vice versa.
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Eleanor Jack
Researcher
School of Health and Social Care (HSC)
2nd Floor Royal London House
Christchurch Rd
Bournemouth
BH1 3LT
Tel. 01202 962171
Email: ejack@bournemouth.ac.uk
March 2010
Dr Ann Hemingway
Project Lead
School of Health and Social Care (HSC)
1st Floor Royal London House
Christchurch Rd
Bournemouth
BH1 3LT
Tel. 01202 62796
Email: aheming@bournemouth.ac.uk
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