‘It's our pleasure, we count cars here’: an exploration of the ‘neighbourhood-based connections’ for people living alone with dementia

Abstract

The extent of social isolation experienced by people living with dementia who reside in the community has been well acknowledged, yet little is known about how people living alone with dementia maintain neighbourhood-based connections. The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of people with dementia who live alone, focusing upon how they establish social networks and relationships in a neighbourhood context, and how they are supported to maintain this social context within everyday life. Multiple data collection methods were used including, semi-structured interviews, walking interviews, guided home tours and social network mapping, which were conducted with 14 community-dwelling people living alone with dementia (11 women and three men) situated across the three international study sites in England, Scotland and Sweden. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed four main themes: (a) making the effort to stay connected; (b) befriending by organisations and facilitated friendships; (c) the quiet neighbourhood atmosphere; and (d) changing social connections. The analysis suggests that people with dementia who live alone were active agents who took control to find and maintain relationships and social networks in the neighbourhood. Our findings indicate the need to raise awareness about this specific group in both policy and practice, and to find creative ways to help people connect through everyday activities and by spontaneous encounters in the neighbourhood.

‘Pushing back’: People newly diagnosed with dementia and their experiences of the Covid‐19 pandemic restrictions in England

“…These findings reflect Ward et al.‘s 17 observation that people with dementia act to repopulate depleted social networks, as well as other research emphasising the importance of socially‐distanced interactions for older people, including with dementia, experiencing loneliness 31–34 . The findings also lend support to wider research emphasising the importance of supporting people with dementia to sustain contact with wider secondary and tertiary networks of friends, neighbours and casual acquaintances, 7,17 especially where they have fragile social networks or live alone 33,35 . Our findings suggest that these wider social networks are of even greater importance when, as during the Covid‐19 pandemic, carers and voluntary and civic institutions are under strain.…”

“…Those reliant on casual socializing within the community attempted, during the pandemic, to substitute this with socially‐distanced interactions such as exchanging greetings at a distance or watching people passing by. These findings reflect Ward et al.‘s 17 observation that people with dementia act to repopulate depleted social networks, as well as other research emphasising the importance of socially‐distanced interactions for older people, including with dementia, experiencing loneliness 31–34 . The findings also lend support to wider research emphasising the importance of supporting people with dementia to sustain contact with wider secondary and tertiary networks of friends, neighbours and casual acquaintances, 7,17 especially where they have fragile social networks or live alone 33,35 .…”

“…[31][32][33][34] The findings also lend support to wider research emphasising the importance of supporting people with dementia to sustain contact with wider secondary and tertiary networks of friends, neighbours and casual acquaintances, 7,17 especially where they have fragile social networks or live alone. 33,35 Our findings suggest that these wider social networks are of even greater importance when, as during the Covid-19 pandemic, carers and voluntary and civic institutions are under strain. During public health crises, these relationships may be supported through, for example, supporting local mutual aid and community-based groups to effectively engage people with dementia, including, in socially-distanced ways.…”

“Just ask me what it means to live with dementia” – people with mild dementia’s strategies and techniques shared through in‐depth qualitative interviews

“…Bjørkløf et al´s (2019) review highlights how people with dementia may feel stigmatized, embarrassed or stupid, and that feelings of self-worth and identity can be negatively impacted by their dementia. Furthermore, they report that personal relationships change and feelings of increased isolation can be experienced, particularly as the confidence to socialise and take part in activities can be lost (Odzakovic et al 2019). However, people with dementia can develop coping strategies, to help manage the dementia.…”

‘Even een rondje wezen wandelen, want dan kom ik weer mensen tegen’. Kwalitatief onderzoek naar de participatie van ouderen met geheugenproblemen

“…11 In een aantal studies is onderzocht welke betekenis de woonomgeving heeft voor mensen met dementie, en welke invloed de woonomgeving heeft op hun fysieke en sociale participatie. 18 ' 19 ' 20 Mensen met dementie waarderen de omgeving buitenshuis om verschillende redenen, zoals beweging, frisse lucht, emotioneel welbevinden en informele sociale contacten. Sociale interactie met bekenden draagt bij aan hun identiteit en sociale inclusie.…”