Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
3. AAL in the community
Social participation decreases with age, fundamentally because of three causes:
intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural factors.
The first category includes all personal factors, attitudes and other variables that
are inherent to the individual person and make the participation in, and enjoyment of,
social activities more difficult. Such factors include health, financial circumstances,
individual aspirations or disillusionment for life.
The second group includes all circumstances derived from contact with family,
friends, neighbourhoods that condition the practice of social activities. Examples of
such circumstances are the loss of loved ones, distance from children or the fact that an
elderly person often cannot find someone to share an activity with.
The third group represents external or environmental factors that influence social
activities.
Any activities aimed at minimizing any of these elements will promote the social
interaction of elderly within their community.
Despite all these factors, participation levels can be significantly increased with
adequate motivation and support. Thus, elderly people can be supported in finding and
carrying out work, establishing and maintaining contacts with other people, and, in
general, can be helped to spend time participating in different social activities. Thus,
the role of the person not only as beneficiary (of consumption, social support, solidarity,
etc.), but also as contributor for community (social actor) would be strengthened and
his/her quality of life improved.
Promotion of social participation of elderly people can be undertaken in many
ways. First of all, communication services should provide new and easy-to-use
facilities so as to help seniors enhance their social relationships. This is a way of
raising self-esteem and increasing the sense of control and autonomy. A second way is
to provide elderly persons with necessary information about social activities that are
adapted to their needs and able to attract their attention and to create interest. This
should include outdoor activities and volunteering activities. Finally, mobility is
essential for general independence and to ensure good health and quality of life. For
older people, mobility represents more than having a means of transport, but is also a
symbol of freedom, independence and self-reliance, and retaining some control over
their life.
Communication.
Human beings are social beings by nature, from the time of our birth
to our death. We need other people to live. The fragility is a condition that makes
persons in need of support and communication with others not only to maintain an
interest in living, but also in developing a deeper sense of personal fulfilment and
identity. Loneliness is a subjective experience that results when interpersonal
relationships are not fulfilled.
Elderly people tend to feel isolated. Old age is a stage in life that comes with a
series of losses (work, social status, physical capacities and friends) that cause a sense
of loneliness. In fact, for example, in Spain 13% of the elderly feel loneliness often or
very often, this percentage rising to 38% if they live alone.
An easy way to prevent such loneliness is friendship and family relationships.
