How Do the Support Networks of Older People Influence Their Experiences of Social Isolation in Care Homes?

Abstract

Understanding how to better support older people living in care homes is imperative for improving their wellbeing and quality of life. Despite this, little research has explored how support networks are structured and composed for individual residents. This study aimed to explore how, and by whom, residents felt they were supported, and how this support influenced their experiences of social isolation within the care home. The study included 36 residents from seven care homes located in the Scottish central belt in 2018. This article uses egocentric network analysis to analyse the structure and composition of the support networks, while a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews resulted in themes exploring how a resident’s support network impacts their social isolation within the care home. Findings indicated that residents’ most supportive alters were adult children, while staff members were only nominated as providing support in one third of support networks, despite most residents needing specialised care every day. Ambiguous relationships within residents’ support networks lead to feelings of social isolation, as well as adding to residents’ isolating behaviour. This suggests that national care frameworks, such as person‐centred care frameworks, which advocate for coordinated support between residents, relatives, and staff are not being implemented effectively and that more needs to be done to break down barriers to inclusion for care home residents.

Addressing loneliness and social isolation through the involvement of primary and secondary informal caregivers in nursing homes: a scoping review

“…Overall, the studies differed regarding the question which informal caregivers are most important for combatting loneliness and social isolation in nursing home residents. Other studies mainly point towards the role of family relationships in general [ 18 ] and the support of adult children in particular [ 17 ]. Some of the included studies targeted residents themselves as informal caregivers to their peers.…”

“…Contrary to community dwelling older adults, nursing home residents can potentially profit from the company other residents [ 16 ]. A crucial aspect for nursing home residents is support from family members and friends [ 17 , 18 ]. In addition, older adults living in nursing homes can receive support from a range of external community actors, voluntary workers or institutions like schools and associations, providing various forms of informal care and companionship.…”

Like a Social Breath: Homecare’s Contributions to Social Inclusion and Connectedness of Older Adults

“…However, prevailing research from institutional and community care settings shows that experiences of formal caregiving and relationships with staff are complex and can be experienced as exclusive or inclusive. Staff that voice more family-like feelings towards residents build more positive relationships that increase the residents' sense of inclusiveness (Ferguson, 2021). Although family usually represents a stronger network, older adults may also experience staff and peer networks (even with strangers) as ways to reciprocate emotional support and a sense of social connectedness (Torres, 2019).…”

“…Research also finds that older adults actively use social interactions with others to build social connectiveness (Morgan et al, 2019). Nevertheless, how older adults use their support networks and stronger (family and friends) or weaker (staff) ties to gain support and improve their social connectedness remains unclear (Ferguson, 2021).…”