Discussion – Social Support

Discussion – Social Support

Right now, I have tremendous family support and emotional support from close friends. Over time, the social support network shifts from focusing on family and belonging in early adolescence to a more diverse mix of family, emotional, and community support in adulthood, with an increased dependence on emotional support in elderhood. Subsequently, the distinction between instrumental and socioemotional help is found in the tangible assistance offered by instrumental support as opposed to the emotional and psychological assistance supplied by socioemotional support (Marini et al., 2019). Individuals may require less practical assistance but gain considerably from emotional connections and understanding as they age; therefore, socio-emotional support becomes increasingly crucial for well-being.

People may hesitate to seek assistance from their support system because they are concerned about burdening others, fear rejection or judgment, desire to maintain independence, or cultural values that emphasize self-reliance. Consequently, to be certain that very old persons will ask for help when they need it, it is critical to encourage open communication, create trust within the support network, and remove the stigma associated with seeking aid. Moreover, encouraging regular conversations about needs and preferences and a safe and nonjudgmental setting can help older persons feel more comfortable reaching out when necessary.

Following this, cultural beliefs and traditions can have an impact on living arrangements for older adults, such as multi-generational houses or co-housing communities. These agreements frequently give essential social support and companionship, which is especially beneficial for extremely old widows or widowers since they battle loneliness and provide emotional well-being. Notably, urban living can benefit older individuals’ health by increasing their access to healthcare services, public transportation, recreational activities, and broader social engagement possibilities (Vargas-Hernández et al., 2023). These urban facilities can improve the physical and emotional well-being of older adults by encouraging regular medical check-ups, physical activity, and social connections, thereby improving overall quality of life.

References

Marini, Christina M., Fiori, Katherine L., Wilmoth, Janet M., Pless Kaiser, A., & Martire, Lynn M. (2019). Psychological Adjustment of Aging Vietnam Veterans: The Role of Social Network Ties in Reengaging with Wartime Memories. Gerontology, 66(2), 138–148. https://doi.org/10.1159/000502340

Vargas-Hernández, J. G., Pallagst, K., & Justyna Zdunek-Wielgołaska. (2023). Urban Green Spaces as a Component of an Ecosystem. 165–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28885-2_8

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Discussion – Social Support

What kinds of social support do you have now? How do you see the network of social support changing over time, from early adolescence to elderhood? What is the difference between instrumental and socioemotional support? Which is more important in elderhood? Why might people be reluctant to request help from their support system? How can you be confident that the very old adults you know and care about will ask for help when they need it? What are some of the living arrangements that relate to cultural values, and how are they helpful for the very old widow or widower? How does urban living provide health advantages?