The Social World of Older People: Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation in Later Life
"A timely and welcome contribution to the research on loneliness and kindred phenomena." Lars Andersson, International Journal of Ageing and Later Life, 2010.Developments to the physical environment, scientific and technological innovation, the reorganisation of work and leisure and the impact of globalization and global capitalism have all influenced the nature of the world in which we now live. Social engagement and relationships, however, remain important at any age and their quality is a key element contributing to the quality of life of older people. This book provides a detailed account of loneliness and social isolation as experienced by older people living in Britain. The authors consider the incidence and effects of isolation and loneliness, identifying the factors which lead to such experiences and considering potential interventions. They also argue that these feelings are experienced at all stages of the life course and not unique to the social world of older people. Victor, Scambler and Bond rationalise that this is an important area, as both loneliness and social isolation are negatively associated with both quality and quantity of life - whilst the maintenance of social relationships is seen as a key component of 'successful ageing'.The Social World of Older People is important reading for students of social work, gerontology, community care and social policy as well as being of interest to policy makers and practitioners in these fields.
Christina Victor is Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at St George's Hospital Medical School. She is an experienced writer, having previously edited two books for Open University Press - Critical Approaches to Ageing and Later Life (1997) and Researching Ageing and Later Life (2002). Sasha Scambler is lecturer in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Surrey, Roehampton.Ann Bowling is a social scientist and is Professor of Health Services Research in the Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences at University College London. She is the author of Research Methods in Health 2E (2002), Measuring Health 2E ( 1997) and Measuring Disease 2E (2001), all published by Open University Press. John Bond is Professor in the School of Population and Health Science and Director of the Centre for Health Services Research at the University of Newcastle.