What is it about?
Fieldwork on how retirement housing residents experience social life and organised group activities; literature review on relevant initiatives to address loneliness and isolation, and their background in theories of loneliness and social networks amongst older people
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Why is it important?
Intended to inform development of good practice in management of retirement housing schemes, and to contribute to research about how to address loneliness amongst older people
Perspectives
Reports a survey of over 300 housing managers, and a postal survey of over 100 residents. Lonelines and isolation are particularly acute risks for retirement housing residents in so far as they are more likely to have health and mobility problems than older people living in 'ordinary' housing. Social support by staff is found to be very important in mobilising and sustaining residents' group activities, which help to promote instrumental support amongst neighbours as well as providing opportunities for companionship. However the range of activities is typically very narrow and could benefit from being more varied, and more oriented to exercise and to intellectual stimulation.
Dr Anne M Gray
London South Bank University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Addressing loneliness and isolation in retirement housing, Ageing and Society, November 2016, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x16001239.
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