Social Engagement “Canada” Ronald Baker Vanessa Camarena Diana Mueca Michelle Queen Kristen Wyman

Empirical Article The Significance of Social Engagement in Relocated Older Adults

Purpose Identify the meaning of social engagement for recently relocated older adults and the types of relationships that they developed in their new location.

Social Engagement The concept of social engagement is defined as the degree of participation in a social setting and the ability to initiate to be receptive to social interactions. Important health determinant

Relocation Relocating to a Senior- designated apartment building is a common transition Disrupts social networks Older adults already face reduced sizes in networks

Benefits of Social Engagement Sense of value Belonging Companionship Sense of control Self efficacy when socially engaged

Social Engagement Challenges Gradual deterioration Sensory loss Chronic illness Relocation Poor health Demands of the home Transportation Widowhood

Successful Relocation Socially supportive relationships Attachment Individual perspective The Nest Parting with a meaningful past Shaping a desired future Settling into an altered present

METHOD Qualitative & Ethnographic Wanted participants to describe the experience of social engagement Sample Senior-designated apartment 328 units (75 subsidized) 5 year waitlist (building has good reputation) 7 floors, 3 elevators, laundry facility on each floor Activity Coordinator Common lounge & dining area Access to public transportation

METHOD Sample (cont.) Men & Women 55 years and older English speaking and able to communicate Living in building New & long-time residents Recruitment Word of mouth Did not use staff referral due to possible bias

METHOD Ethics Followed ethics guidelines Study approved by a university health research ethics board Participants received information about study Voluntary study; participants can withdraw at any time Anonymous Participants signed a consent form

METHOD Data Collection Semi-structured interviews Residents were notified of researchers presence Participants able to informally engage with researchers Participants interviewed in apartment unit If two residents were living together, they were interviewed separately Interviews lasted minutes Audio-taped and transcribed Used guiding questions Group Interview (8 people)

METHOD Ecomap – created at the end of each interview Social network composition

METHOD Data Analysis Conducted concurrently with data collection (helped with guiding questions) Used open coding and sorted common features to create categories Example: “We’re not close like back and forth all the time.” Themed as “Superficial” Coded as “Connections”

Results of Social Engagement Average age was 79 years. Most were female Fourteen out of nineteen of the participants were living alone. Tenants dressed formally while attending social activities. Feeling of security Knowing that the person is not alone and that someone is at hand if the need arises Common interest

Types of Social Engagement Casual Interactions- developed because of not seeking close relationships with other people. These types of interactions were intentional and deliberate. Opportunity to be supportive- manifesting care for others and giving back to make life better for an individual or the community in the building. Friendship connections- Feeling part of a big family.

Discussion Somewhat surprising in the present study is the fact that most seniors did not seek to develop connections that were meaningful ties or friendships but, rather, looked for other types of relationships that fulfilled their personal needs or goals. This was surprising, as the notion of social aging can imply the development of relationships with others (Bennett, 2002),

Social Interaction: Increased in Group Settings Although relationships with others were established, many were deemed more superficial than friendship. It is known from other research that close social contacts increase opportunities for social relationships and friendship formation (Lawton & Simon, 1968);

Researchers Found Task Oriented Relationships rather than friends. Furthermore, the types of relationships older adults form play a task-specific role (Dono et al., 1979; Mesch & Manor, 1998). Nurse Doctor Pharmacist Gerontologist Social Worker

Putting Restrictions On Our Lives As We Age It is also of significance that as people grow older, they have fewer friends (Jerrome & Wenger, 1999), partly because of changes outside the relationship, such as illness or death. Jerrome and Wenger (1999) concluded that many people in their study chose social engagement by making new friends, but that the majority of older people were content with more restricted lives

Using Technology To Keep Connections For Seniors Internet Face Book Text Messaging My Space Using the telephone increase contact

Seniors become accustom to new friends and surroundings The telephone was recognized as providing a means of maintaining social ties (Buys, 2001; Licoppe & Smoreda, 2005). Findings seem to indicate that new tenants had more outside connections, but with time seemed to scale back on them in favor of connections inside the senior- designated apartment building

Suggestion for Future Research Age Factor – Young Old, Old-Old, Oldest Old Gender Family Dynamics Ethnicity/ Language Education Companionship

Questions to ponder… Would social engagement differ when type of housing changes?, i.e. change from senior apartment complex to long term care community. Would the relationship change from acquaintance to friendship?