Case study: Retirement communities need to do more to help residents
cope with loneliness and depression
Researcher looks at personal and situational
characteristics associated with loneliness and
depression
March 17, 2005 | For more information: Jeff
Bendix 216-368-6070
As the nation’s population ages, greater numbers of people are
moving into assisted living and other retirement communities. While
these facilities offer many advantages to the elderly, a recent research
article concludes that they should consider doing more to alleviate
the loneliness and depression that their residents often experience.
In an article titled “Loneliness and Depression in Independent
Living Retirement Communities: Risk and Resilience Factors,” the
authors write, “With the number of older adults steadily increasing,
greater attention must be given to the factors that contribute to loneliness,
social isolation and depression among those who live independently or
as members of a long-term care or retirement community.”
Kathryn B. Adams, instructor at Case Western Reserve University’s
Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and a
faculty research associate at the University Memory and Aging Center,
was first author on the article, which appears in Aging & Mental
Health.
The authors surveyed residents in the independent living sections of
two retirement communities to determine what personal and situational
characteristics are associated with loneliness and depression, what
proportion of people who are lonely are also depressed and how loneliness
and depression differ. They find that loneliness is a strong risk factor
for depression among residents of the institutions, and that loneliness
is associated with factors such as the size of a social network, grieving
the loss of a loved one and having fewer visits from friends.
Depression is also associated with grieving, but in contrast, is more
closely associated with lack of participation in activities and having
more chronic health conditions.
Given these differences, the authors say, gerontologists need to recognize
the differences between loneliness and depression and develop methods
of helping their clients cope with each. For example, retirement communities
might develop specific strategies to encourage residents to maintain
relationships with outside friends and family, or to send reminder notes
to those outside to encourage them to call or visit. They should also
consider forming support groups for those most likely to experience
loneliness, such as the recently bereaved, those who have recently moved
to the facility or individuals who are shy, or lack social skills.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
|
