Growing old is becoming lonely? Jana D hoedt

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1 Growing old is becoming lonely? Jana D hoedt

2 Introduction Loneliness is a personal, subjective experience. A person experiences this feeling when his social relationships do not match his wishes. It is not about the quantity of social relationships but it is about the lack of quality of relationships (Fokkema & Dykstra, 2006). Loneliness is universal concept, it is fundamental in live. The feeling of loneliness can be very unexpected, it can also be a continuous matter in live (Van Waeyenberge, 2005). Loneliness can be divided into two sections: Social loneliness: lack of different social contacts Emotional loneliness: lack of close relationship (Heylen, 2011) It is well known that social networks and social integration is very important for the wellbeing of elderly. Many researches have shown the positive connection: close friendships, positive social contacts and the support of others have a positive influence on the self-esteem and the subjective well-being of elderly (Vanden Boer en Pauwels, 2004).

3 Introduction (2) When people grow older, the feeling of loneliness increases. Loneliness is related to having or not having a partner. People in a relationship are less lonely than people without a partner. Belgium: Aging: there are a lot of elderly people Increased individualization. Development in technique, politics, education and medical knowledge. independency increases people are less dependent are people still connected to each other? (D hoedt, 2012)

4 Research Qualitative study on loneliness among elderly. Based on: phenomenological philosophy Method: purposive sampling Opinions and experiences Interview: semi structured Theoretical generalization Use of an informed consent form Constant comparative method code diagram in vivo codes open codes clusters

5 Research question Does the experience of loneliness have an influence on active aging?

6 Research themes Research 1: Factors that have an influence on the experience of loneliness (Ariën et al., 2012) Research 2: How elderly people that live alone experience loneliness (Davidse et al., 2012) Research 3: Factors that have an influence on the experience of loneliness of people that live in a rest home. (D hoedt, 2012)

7 Results and interpretations 1. Factors that influence the experience of loneliness Former and current social contacts Quality VS Quantity Living partner Support Participation Limitation in mobility Activities in a local service center or at home Life history Important experiences in life Work situation 2. How elderly people that live alone experience loneliness Elderly people are living longer and staying longer at home. Loss of partner and friends Limitations in mobility

8 Results and interpretations 3. Factors that have an influence on the experience of loneliness of people who are living in a rest home Environment Physical and cognitive functioning Image on there own life Life experience

9 Conclusion Complex Subjective It has roots in all live events Many factors that influence the experience of loneliness The influence on Active Ageing Occupational therapy (PEO-model) Has a great influence A person in the environment and in his participation in the community Rolls of an occupational therapist: Diagnostician Practitioner Consultant Client-centered Recommendations to further research

10 Resources Heylen, L. Oud en eenzaam? Een studie naar de risicofactoren voor sociale en emotionele eenzaamheid bij ouderen. Doctoraatsthesis, Universiteit Antwerpen, Faculteit Politieke en Sociale Wetenschappen PSBH Van Waeyenberge, P. Eenzaamheid: jezelf terugvinden?!appendix bij de cijfers van het jaarverslag Jaarverslag Tele-onthaal. Fokkema, T. & Dykstra, P.A. De aanpak van eenzaamheid: feiten en misverstanden, Demos, (3), 5-9. Vanden Boer, L. & Pauwels, K. (2005). Eenzame ouderen: mythe of realiteit?. Geraadpleegd op 17 februari 2012 via eenzame-ouderen.-muthe-of-realiteit.pdf

11 Resources Ariën, F., Bobelyn, L., Cauchie, K., Scheerlinck, S., Vonck, L., Ouderen gevangen in eenzaamheid. Kwalitatief onderzoek, Arteveldehogeschool, Timmerman, R., Davidse, M., De Smet, J., De Sterck, S., De Pooter, H., Ouderen en eenzaamheid. Kwalitatief onderzoek, Arteveldehogeschool, D hoedt, J., De Groote, F., Corujeira-Figueirea, C., Van Biervliet, T., Verhelst, T., Liever alleen, Kwalitatief onderzoek, Arteveldehogeschool, 2012.