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Social Isolation Of The Elderly Essay

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Social isolation is a major social problem with health and economic implications globally (Cornwell and Waite, 2009; Gallie, Paugam, and Jacobs, 2003). It is reported to be associated with poor physical and psychological health among older adults (Findlay, 2003; Pettigrew, 2007). Additionally, social isolation also affects an individual’s well-being (Victor et al., 2000). Over the past 40 years, consistent research has been done on well-being of the elderly to reduce social isolation.

Previous literature examining social isolation of the elderly has looked at it from a healthcare, sociology and psychology perspective (e.g. Bild & Havighurst, 1976; Noël et al., 2004; Tse, Leung and Ho, 2012). In the healthcare literature, scholars have discovered pain, impairments, and chronic medical illnesses negatively affect older adults’ lives (e.g. Bild & Havighurst, 1976; Noël et al., 2004; Tse, Leung and Ho, 2012). It is proposed that active social contact involving creativity and mentoring should be encouraged to help improve physical well-being of the elderly (e.g. Tennstedt et al., 1998; Ciechanowski et al., 2004; McAuley et al., 2000). In sociological studies, social functions such as social interaction, social roles and social networks (Blazer, 2000) play an important role in the well-being of older adults (e.g. Grubb et al., 2011; Lee and Szinovacz, 2016; Davidson, Daly and Arber, 2003). It is suggested that older adults’ subjective well-being can be improved through more

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