Home⇛International Journal of Academic and Practical Research⇛vol. 3 no. 1 (2024)

Fostering Social Connectedness and Wellness in Older Adults Through a Community-Based Support Program

Rowena R. De Guzman

Discipline: social work

 

Abstract:

The importance of individual wellbeing is increasingly recognized by governments around the world. Social connectedness is a key driver of well- being. Socially well-connected people and communities are happier, healthier, and better able to take charge of their lives and find solutions to the problems they face. Social connectedness can contribute to achieving wellness. The less involved someone is, the greater the risk of social isolation or feeling disconnected from the community. Social contact tends to decrease as we age for a variety of reasons. The research was conducted to determine the indicators of social connectedness through a community-based wellness support program for the elderly. This was endorsed by the Local Government Unit and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in crafting a Community-Based Wellness Support Program. The current role of the researcher has triggered interest and a desire to improve the physical and mental health of the elderly and help them move away from isolation toward a state of wellness amidst the struggles of aging. This study involved one hundred thirty-two (132) older adults (aged 54 years old and above). To gather data, the researcher observed the participants in their most natural settings, interviewed them, and used structured questions translated into their vernacular language. The results showed the relationships people have with others and the benefits these relationships can bring to the individual, as well as to society. These relationships and connections can be a source of enjoyment and support, helping people feel they belong and have a part to play in society. The findings showed that to enhance elders’ social connectedness, the Community-Based Wellness Support Program, with objectives centered on enhancing connectedness through Zumba, Physical Fitness, and Laughter Yoga, should be sustained as part of the Connect Well Program.



References:

  1. Adams, T., Bezner, J., & Steinhardt, M. (1997). The conceptualization and measurement of perceived wellness: integrating balance across and within dimensions. American Journal of Health Promotion, 11, 208-218.
  2. Adams, T. B., Bezner, R. J., Drabbs, M. E., Zambarano, R. J., & Steinhardt, M. A. (2000). Conceptualization and measurement of the spiritual and psychological dimensions of wellness in a college population. Journal of American College Health, 48(4), 165-173.
  3. Amarantos, E., Martinez, A., & Dwyer, J. (2001). Nutrition and quality of life in older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 56(2), 54-64.
  4. Best, J. W., & Kahn, J. V. (2006). Research in Education (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education Inc.
  5. Calmorin, Laurentina. (2000). Methods of Research and Thesis Writing. Manila: Rex Bookstore Inc.
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). National Center for injury Prevention and Control. Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. Leading Causes of death report, 2015. https://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcause.html
  7. DeVellis, R. F. (1991). Scale development: Theory and applications. Newbury Park: Sage Publications, Inc.
  8. Dominguez, E. (2015). A Senior Wellness Program for older adults in a senior community: A thesis grant proposal (Published master’s thesis). California State University, Long Beach, California USA.
  9. Dunn, H. (1959). High level wellness for man and society. American Journal of Public Health, 49(6), 766-792.
  10. Dunn, H. (1958). Significance of level of wellness in aging. Geriatrics, 13, 51-57.
  11. Edelman, P., & Montague, J. (2006). Whole-person wellness outcomes in senior living communities: The resident whole-person wellness survey. Senior Housing and Care Journal, 14(1), 21-33.
  12. Fleury, J., Belyea, M., & Harrell, J. (2000). Physical activity among elderly African Americans: A test of the wellness motivation theory. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 22, S119.
  13. Fleury, J., & Seidkides, C. (2007). Wellness motivation in cardiac rehabilitation: The role of self-knowledge in cardiovascular risk modification. Research in Nursing and Health, 30, 373-384.
  14. Fleury, J. (1996). Wellness motivation theory: An exploration of theoretical relevance. Nursing Research, 45(5), 277-283.
  15. Frank-Stromborg, M., & Olsen, S. J. (1997). Instruments for Clinical Health-Care Research (2nd ed.). Jones and Bartlett, Boston.
  16. Harari, M. J., Waehler, C. A., & Rogers, J. R. (2005). An empirical investigation of a theoretically based measure of perceived wellness. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 52(1), 93-103.
  17. Hogdgson, C. C., Hermann, D. J., Profitt, M. A., Brod, K. L., & MacDonell, C. (2003). Defining the wellness paradigm: The state of wellness initiatives and wellness centers in senior living communities. Washington DC.: The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
  18. Jarnagin, W. L., & Woodside, M. (2012). Life lived well: A description of wellness across the lifespan of a senior woman. Qualitative Report, 17, 71.
  19. Jenkins, K. R., Pienta, A. M., & Horgas, A. L. (2002). Activity and health-Related Quality of life in Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Research on Aging, 24, 124-149.
  20. Kohut, H. (1984). How does analysis cure? New York: International Universities Press.
  21. Lee, R. M., & Robbins, S. B. (1995). Measuring belongingness: The social connectedness and the social assurance scales. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 42, 232-241.
  22. Lee, R. M., Draper, M., & Lee, S. (2001). Social Connectedness, dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress: Testing a mediator model. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 310-318.
  23. Mannel, R. (2007). Health, Well-being and leisure. World Leisure Journal, 49, 114-128.
  24. Mannel, R. C. (2005). Evolution of cross-cultural analysis in the study of Leisure: Commentary on “Culture, self-construal, and Leisure theory and practice”. Journal of Leisure Research, 37(1), 100-105.
  25. Mannel, R., & Kleiber, D. (1997). A social psychology of leisure. State College, PA: Venture.
  26. Miller, M. P. (1991). Factors promoting wellness in the aged person: An ethnographic study. Advances in Nursing Science, 13(4), 38-51.
  27. Montague, P. (2006). Why Choose this Book? How we Make Decisions. New York: Dutton.
  28. Montague, P., Dayan, P., & Sejnowski, T. (1996). A framework for mesencephalic dopamine system based on predictive Hebbian learning. Journal of Neuroscience, 16, 1936-1947.
  29. Montague, P., Dolan, R., Friston, K., & Dayan, P. (2012). Computational psychiatry. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16, 72-80.
  30. Montague, P., & King-Casas, B. (2007). Efficient statistics, common currencies and the problem of reward-harvesting. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 11, 514-519.
  31. Montague, J., & Frank, B. (2007). Creating whole-person wellness. Assisted Living Consult.
  32. Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. C. (2003). Research Methods: Quantitative And Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi Acts Press.
  33. Paganini-Hill, A., Ross, R. K., & Henderson, B. E. (1986). Prevalence of chronic disease and health practices in a retirement community. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 39(9), 660-707.
  34. Park, N. S. (2009). The relationship of social engagement to psychological well-being of older adults in assisted living. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 28, 461-481.
  35. Paskulin, L. M. G., & Molzahn, A. (2007). Quality of life of older adults in Canada and Brazil. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 29(1), 10-26.
  36. Sewo Sampaio, P. Y., & Ito, E. (2013). Activities with higher influence on quality of life in older adults in Japan. Occupational Therapy International, 20(1), 1-10.
  37. Smith, K. M., Freeman, P. A., & Zabriskie, R. B. (2009). An examination of family communication within the core and balance model of family leisure functioning. Family Relations, 58, 79-90.
  38. Vaillant, G. (2002). Aging well: Surprising guideposts to a happier life from the landmark Harvard Study of adult development. Boston, MA: little Brown.
  39. Witmer, J., & Sweeney, T. (1992). A holistic model of wellness and prevention over the life span. Journal of Counseling and Development, 71, 140-148.
  40. Zainab, N., & Naz, H. (2017). Daily living functioning, social engagement and wellness of older adults. Psychology, Community & Health, 6(1).

Tools


Copyright © 2024  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic