Very little is known of the longitudinal changes that occur in contact with children and participation in social activities during late-life widowhood. Using data on social networks and activities drawn from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing, trajectories of change in social engagement were modeled for 1,266 participants (mean age 76.7…

Annually in the United States, 1 to 5 million older adults, 65 and above, are physically or sexually injured or mistreated by their caregivers in family settings. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors involved in elder physical abuse by adult child caregivers, moving from the immediate elderly parent/adult child relationship context…

The article explores and evaluates the quality of life, safety, and security of elderly people in Tehran City in Iran. In that, different dimensions of material and social well-being, and abuse of people of the age 65 and above, are assessed. Besides the human rights, the dignity, and the gradual decline of the elderly's social security are…

Tested conceptual model relating neighborhood characteristics to social isolation in later life. Data from nationwide survey supported theoretical sequence of older adults with low levels of educational attainment being more likely to experience financial problems, of elderly people confronted by financial difficulties being more likely to reside…

Compared 59 abused and 49 non-abused elders to identify factors contributing to elder abuse and neglect by caregivers in domestic setting. Found that members of abusive families often had emotional problems. Abused elders and caregivers had become increasingly interdependent because of loss of other family members, social isolation, and financial…

The Friendly Visitor Program was designed to reduce social isolation. Visits were made by trained visitors to 23 isolated, elderly New York City residents. For the experimental group only apartment upkeep and mental state improved and isolation diminished at the time of follow-up, indicating friendly visiting probably was therapeutic. (Author)

A survey of case histories, anecdotal evidence and pilot studies shows that, as therapeutic adjuncts, pet animals facilitate rapport and enrich the treatment milieu. Pets enhance the lives of their owners in the community. Pet-facilitated psychotherapy can increase social interaction, provide comfort, and reinforce feelings of independence.…

Used a four-year participant observation study of 15 older adults in an Appalacian town to explore the tensions between factors that encourage relocation to the homes of children who moved outside the area and the inertia caused by reluctance to give up a familiar lifestyle and local friends. (JAC)

Examines subcultural variations in primary social isolation in older persons in Albany. Seven hypothetical subcultures contain enough respondents to be numerically important. Two subcultures have above-average rates of primary social isolation. Three subcultures have below-average rates. Results indicate that primary social isolation is a group…

The way in which some elderly widowers living alone experientially organize time can be viewed as on a continuum structured around the notion of a "day" as a central organizing focus. Related to this is the role of a "daily highlight" in organizing daily activities. Certain factors may help structure this experiential continuum. (Author/ABB)

Compared structure of social support and its relation to health, affect, and life satisfaction for national representative sample of elderly and a distressed sample from South Miami Beach. Stronger relationships were found between support network size and affect and between affect, life satisfaction, and health in the South Miami Beach sample.…

Studied effects on nursing home residents playing a discussion-stimulating board game called "Angels and Devils." Results indicate a high incidence of sensory deprivation and social isolation effects. These do not correlate with length of institutionalization, amount of social contact, or degree of medical restriction. (Author)

Compared 21 older clients of drug treatment facilities, 30 older abusers not in treatment, and 155 elderly nonabusers. Analyses suggested that age and gender affect the likelihood of receiving treatment more than the likelihood of being an abuser. Substance abuse appeared more prevalent among single elderly who lived alone. (JAC)