Geriatric Orphans

This study explores the question, How do
severely isolated senior citizens experience their
worlds? Within the United States, there is a group
of elderly individuals I have termed geriatric
orphans - people who do not have family or close
associations to assist them with needed activities
of daily living. The results show that isolated
seniors have a higher incidence of loneliness and
depression. As they grow older and more isolated,
they seek new ways to develop and maintain some sort
of meaning to their lives. The participants each
developed patterns of behaviors to cope with losses -
of spouses, friends, relationships, and physical
abilities. Those who were still mobile enough to
leave their homes regularly were able to maintain
relationships. More often, the outside
relationships merely masked the loneliness and
feelings of inadequacy the participant would return
home to. The study found that those individuals who
were aging successfully were also those with the
best health. Most of the participants were
homebound, or totally dependent on others for
mobility.

Autorentext

Dr. Meis has worked in the social services field for over 20 years. He currently works as an Programs Analyst with the State of California Department of Aging. He is an adjunct faculty with the University of Phoenix, Axia College.

Klappentext

This study explores the question, "How do severely isolated senior citizens experience their worlds?" Within the United States, there is a group of elderly individuals I have termed "geriatric orphans" - people who do not have family or close associations to assist them with needed activities of daily living. The results show that isolated seniors have a higher incidence of loneliness and depression. As they grow older and more isolated, they seek new ways to develop and maintain some sort of 'meaning' to their lives. The participants each developed patterns of behaviors to cope with losses - of spouses, friends, relationships, and physical abilities. Those who were still mobile enough to leave their homes regularly were able to maintain relationships. More often, the outside relationships merely masked the loneliness and feelings of inadequacy the participant would return home to. The study found that those individuals who were aging "successfully" were also those with the best health. Most of the participants were homebound, or totally dependent on others for mobility.