Centre for Policy on Ageing



The dynamic relationship between social support and health in older adults — assessment implications
Author(s)	Christine A Hyduk
Journal title	Journal of Gerontological Social Work, vol 27, no 1/2, 1996
Pages	pp 149-165
Source	http://www.tandfonline.com
Keywords	Health [elderly] ; Informal care ; Living in the community ; At risk ; Social workers ; Evaluation ; Statistical relations ; United States of America.
Annotation	In this study of a representative sample of 1,598 community-based Cleveland, Ohio residents for 1975, 1976 and 1984, longitudinal path analysis was conducted using data originally gathered through interviews using OMFAQ (Older American Resources and Services Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire). Results support the existence of 'delayed effects', with direction indicating that initial health affects future social support. More specifically, as disability increases, social contact decreases. Findings suggest that if present disability affects future contact, older adults could be `at risk' for institutionalisation. Geriatric social workers need to bear in mind support for the caregiver or support system, as well as the needs of the older adult when developing a care plan.
Accession Number	CPA-980219211 A
Classmark	CC: P6: K4: CA3: QR: 4C: 3YH: 7T
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing

...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.