Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: The purpose of this thesis was to explore how elderly people experience the effect of loneliness on daily activities and the ways of loneliness alleviation. This study aimed to give better understanding of the loneliness among elderly people and to improve quality of elderly care and services of partners of project Active Aging in Tampere region, which part this Bachelor’s thesis was. As the study dealt with human emotions and feelings, qualitative approach was used. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews of six elderly people, residents or service users of Kuusela Senior Centre. Data was analysed by method of content analysis. \n \nResults were divided into three categories, meaning of loneliness, causes of loneliness and coping with loneliness. Loneliness was perceived as both, positive, a time of one’s own, as well as negative feeling, which was connected to living alone, social isolation and estrangement from the society. The most discussed issue concerning loneliness was lack of social contacts, either due to death of friends or missing their children, and this topic was especially connected to winter time, when there was little possibility to meet other people. Moreover, own personality and dependency limited the amount and choice of activities and contributed to social isolation. Bereavement over partner’s death but also lack of interest from younger generations led to withdrawal from active life of some participants as well. Concerning coping strategies, solitary activities, like reading, watching television or light housework, helped the participant to stay occupied but social network, social activities and family support were more beneficial. \n \nThe findings of this thesis highly correlate with previous studies in this field and show the importance of social contacts and meaningful activity for elderly people once again, as the elderly people themselves highlighted the beneficence of different psychosocial rehabilitation groups, physiotherapy and social activities. This thesis also linked loneliness and decreased level of activities together, no matter in what order they were reported.
Source: Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen)
Authors: Markéta Cervinkova, Khadra Muhumed
Language: English
Subfield: Life-span and Life-course Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2285235176