The context for the review of loneliness and social isolation in later life is that of ‘successful aging’ and ‘quality of life’. The term ‘quality of life‘ includes a broad range of areas of life and there is little agreement about the definition of the term. Models of quality of life range from identification of ‘life satisfaction’ or ‘social wellbeing’ to models based upon concepts of independence, control, and social and cognitive competence. However, regardless of how the concept of quality of life is defined, research has consistently demonstrated the importance of social and family relationships in the definition of a ‘good quality of life’.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0959259800104101

Being alone in later life: loneliness, social isolation and living alone

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(08)61708-0.pdf

Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment and Associated Impairment

Objectives
To develop a typography of the characteristics of caregivers of community dwelling people with dementia or memory loss who do not use services and empirically investigate the reasons for service non-use.

Method
The findings of a literature review were used to develop a typography of caregivers' non-use of services. This typography was applied to a sample of community-based caregivers.

Results
One in three caregivers were using no services and one in four only one service. Despite considerable proportions reporting low levels of life satisfaction and high levels of overload and resentment the main reasons caregivers gave for not using services were that they did not consider they needed the services. Other reasons for service non-use included care recipient reluctance to use services, lack of knowledge of services or being in the process of applying for services. Service availability or affordability were not identified as major impediments to service use. Presence of a physical disability and contact with a social worker were associated with service use.

Conclusions
Caregivers of people with dementia incur significant strain and have substantial need for a variety of services. Nevertheless many caregivers were not using support services, mainly because of perceived lack of need or lack of awareness. Better public promotion of services, destigmatising dementia and encouraging referrals from health professionals could help overcome the barriers to service use. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

/pdf/why-caregivers-of-people-with-dementia-and-memory-loss-don-t-25p4jfcfha.pdf

Why caregivers of people with dementia and memory loss don't use services.

This paper reviews the empirical literature on social isolation and loneliness and identifies a wide range of published correlates. Using data from a study conducted in North Wales, which included many of the same correlated variables, a statistical modelling technique is used to refine models of isolation and loneliness by controlling for co-variance. The resulting models indicate that the critical factors for isolation are: marital status, network type and social class; and, for loneliness: network type, household composition and health.

/pdf/social-isolation-and-loneliness-in-old-age-review-and-model-2a8kdh4fyx.pdf

Social Isolation and Loneliness in Old Age: Review and Model Refinement

Disruptions in foster care: A review and meta-analysis

Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. Movements and Destinations: An overview. 3. Going home: Who returns and how do they do? 4. Going home: What makes a difference? 5. Adoption: Who is adopted and how do they do? 6. Adoption: What makes a difference? 7. Foster care: Can it offer permanence? 8. Foster care: Does it feel like a family? 9. Leaving care: What makes a difference? 10. Living independently: What makes a difference? 11. Tara's story: A case study 12. Alistair's story: A case study. 13. A common explanation? 14. Conclusion. References. Appendix 1. Sampling Bias in Sweeps 1 and 2. Appendix 2. Sampling Bias in Sweep 3. Appendix 3. Some Key Variables. Appendix 4. Adoption Parents' Views and Advice. Subject Index. Author Index.

Foster Children: Where They Go and How They Get On

Matches and Mismatches: The Contribution of Carers and Children to the Success of Foster Placements

The article draws on the first stages of a large-scale longitudinal study into foster care with 'looked after' children. It uses data supplied by 950 foster carers in response to a postal questionnaire designed to document the proportions who had experienced one or more of six potentially stressful 'events': breakdowns or disruptions, allegations, relationship with birth parents, family tensions, 'tug of love' cases, and other disagree ments with social services. The article uses carers' comments to describe their reaction to the 'events'. It then examines the relationship between the 'events' and measures of carer stress, satisfaction with fostering, and intentions to continue fostering. Overall, two-thirds of the sample had experienced one or more of these 'events' and these were associated with a measure of mental ill-health and with attitudes towards continuing fostering.

The trouble with foster care: the impact of stressful 'events' on foster carers

We outline selected central results from a formative evaluation of four pilot sites in England and Wales of the Integrated Children’s System (ICS) – one part of the UK’s eGovernment strategy. We concentrate on the aspiration of the ICS towards ‘integration’ and ‘systematization’ of services within children’s services, at local and national levels. We look in turn at, the use of the ICS as a foundation for aggregate statistical profiles; the experience and views of the social workers; and the implications of ICS for social work practice as exemplified in social workers’ use of time. The evidence suggests substantial problems in accomplishing government policy aspirations in each of these areas. We review the likely reasons for these problems, and recommend a review of the ICS on the grounds that the difficulties are inherent rather than transitory, and have arisen at least in part from uncertainty as to whether the ICS is fit for purpose. The authors seek to promote the open and thoughtful debate that a major innovation of this nature requires.

/pdf/an-exemplary-scheme-an-evaluation-of-the-integrated-children-3n0zro5x1t.pdf

Ian Sinclair

Papers

Foster Children: Where They Go and How They Get On

Matches and Mismatches: The Contribution of Carers and Children to the Success of Foster Placements

The trouble with foster care: the impact of stressful 'events' on foster carers

An exemplary scheme? An evaluation of the integrated children's system

Fostering Now: Messages from Research