Effect of Social Isolation on the wellbeing of Older Persons in Uganda

05/02/2023 DIANAH AHARIMPISYA S11/BBUC/MSW/006 1

THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION ON THE WELLBEING OF OLDER PERSONS IN RWAMUCUUCU SUB COUNTY.


IntroductionThe study explored the effect of social isolation on the wellbeing

of older persons in Rwamucuucu sub county.Older persons are defined by the United Nations (UN) as those

aged 60 years and above.Social isolation is the distancing of an individual either physically

or psychologically or both from his or her network of desired or needed relationships. (Biordi and Nicholson, 2009).

Objective (physical separation from others e.g. economic status, government policy, unemployment, ill health, racism and ethnicity).

Subjective (feelings of loneliness, emotional distance, lack of support from others, powerlessness and ageism).


Background of the studySocial isolation is a complete or near complete lack of

contact with society or lack of social ties and support from social networks or membership in social groups.

Older persons’ contributions e.g. conflict resolution; creation of social cohesion; care and support for orphans; and guarding traditional and cultural values. However, it is unfortunate that they are hindered by isolation and exclusion (National Policy for older persons, 2009:13).

Many Older Persons become deprived of their decision functions. Their contributions are not sought.


Background cont’dMany people now do not visit the older persons in the villages just

because of explosion in the virtual world, too busy with work or school.

I was motivated to carry this study because of my experience with my grandmother 87 years, with no one to care because her children are married to far places, grandchildren including myself, attend school far from home and the relatives nearby do not provide adequate care. When I talk with her on phone, she tells me that she is lonely, she is ignored and when I go there she does not want me to go.

This scenario has prompted the researcher to study the effect of social isolation on the wellbeing of older persons.


Problem statementThe effect of social isolation of older persons has not been documented

which has led to their segregation in almost every aspect of life hence increased poverty levels, low living standards, low self esteem, denial and depression.

Though there have been attempts to reduce social isolation seen in the Uganda national policy for older persons, Newspapers, and press; there is no clear evidence that these issues have been addressed esp. in rural areas.

The population of Ops aged 60 and above has increased world wide. This

increase has profound consequences at individual, community and national levels.


Problem statement cont’dMany Ops live in rural areas where poverty is rife,

economic opportunities limited, ill health common, and health services inadequate.

Ops are often excluded in planning.It is therefore against this that the research wanted to find

out the effect of social isolation on the wellbeing of Ops in Rwamucuucu in order to establish possible ways of reducing this social ill.


Research Objectives1. To find out older person’s experiences of social

isolation.

2. To find out the causes of social isolation of older persons in Rwamucuucu Sub County.

3. To explore the possible ways of reducing social isolation in order to promote the wellbeing of older persons.


Research Questions1. What are the experiences of older persons as a result of

social isolation?.

2. What could be the causes of social isolation of older persons in Rwamucuucu Sub County?.

3. What could be reduce social isolation so as to promote the wellbeing of older persons?.


Significance of the study.The study will help families and community members to strengthen

their relationship with the older persons since families are primary institutions of socialization.

It helped the researcher to discover the needs of older persons living in socially deprived areas

It will help the researcher to establish possible ways of advocating for older persons’ wellbeing.

It helped to lay a foundation for further research about the same problem.


Significance cont’dIt will help policy makers to formulate relevant policies

that address issues concerning older persons especially on the concept of social isolation.

It helped the researcher to identify the practices of Civil Society and other Organizations in Rwamucuucu sub-county.

The study will help to promote social networks and improve the social participation of older people.


LITERATURE REVIEWThis was done according to objectives.Experiences of older persons Causes of social isolation of older personsWays of reducing social isolation to promote wellbeing of

older persons.


METHODOLOGYBoth qualitative and quantitative methodologies were

employed.Qualitative methodology was employed to ensure

accuracy and to tap the deeper meanings of older persons’ experiences.

Quantitative methodology was used to provide quantity explanations .


Research design.Qualitative and quantitative approaches.Qualitative design was used to capture people’s views,

attitudes, experiences, understandings, interpretations and meanings . while

Quantitative design was used to provide a quantity explanation of critical issues.


Target population

The older persons (16) contacted


Key informantsCare takers, Local leaders,Opinion leaders, Community members , Sub-County chief and Community development officer (CDO).


Sampling TechniquePurposive sampling was used to select the 16 older persons.

This was used to get clear information from specific people with specific answers to the researcher’s problem.

Random sampling was used to select the key informants to ensure each member of the population had an equal and known chance of being selected in order to avoid discrimination and bias.

However, the Sub county chief and the Community Development Officer were obvious and were also purposively chosen.


Sample size A sample size of 30 respondents was arrived at by use of

purposive and random sampling.Older persons 16Care takers 03Community members 03Local leaders 03Opinion leaders 03Sub county Chief 01Community Development Officer 01


Data collection methodsQuestionnaire i.e. a self administered questionnaire to

help the researcher in collecting data from older persons. A key Informant research questionnaire was used to get detailed information from leaders (both local and opinion), community members, care takers, the Sub-county chief, and the CDO.

Interview guide i.e. to get older persons’ life experiences.Focus Group Discussion (FGD) i.e. to get shared ideas

and values on the subject matter.


Data sourcesBooksJournalsNewspapersArticlesInternet


Data presentation and analysis Data was properly recorded, coded, edited, analyzed and

different themes were developed as well.

Tables were used to ease reading.

Frequency and percentages were calculated for easy understanding and interpretation.


DATA, PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION.

Was done in four sections

Key issues about older persons.

Experiences of older persons

Causes of social isolation

Ways of reducing social isolation.


Key issues about older persons.DiseasesPovertyPoor housingPoor sanitation and hygieneIlliteracyLack of informationAbuseImpairmentsUnemployment Lack of family care.


Experiences of older persons because of social isolation

PovertyIll healthMental problemsAbuse of human rightsLack of social support.

All these experiences were given by the older persons themselves.


Causes of social isolation Family issuesIll healthPovertyAgeismModernismCultural or community issuesIlliteracyLack of older persons organizationsLack of strict policies.Poor planning


Ways of reducing social isolation. Governments’ interventionHome visitationsFamily supportOlder persons’ organizationRepresentation in leadershipDissemination


Discussion of findingsOlder persons’ experiences of social isolation

Causes of social isolation of older persons

Strategies and policies to reduce social isolation in order to promote the wellbeing of older persons.


Older persons’ experiences of social isolation

PovertyLack of social supportAbuse of human rightsIll health.Other experiences included; Depression, Eating disorders and Low esteem.


Causes of social isolationPovertyFamily problemsIll healthOther causes include;AgeismModernismCultural issuesIlliteracyLack of strict policies on older personsPoor planningLack of older person’s organizations.


Strategies and policies to reduce social isolation.

Governments’ interventionRepresentation in leadershipOlder persons’ organizationsDisseminationFamily support .


Current service providers in Rwamucuucu Sub County.

Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM)-looking after the elderly in one parish –Nyakagabagaba. It’s mission is to “enable older persons and children under their care acquire a bearable form of existence spiritually, socially, mentally, economically, and physically, and equip them with skills so as to live dignified and independent lives”.

Compassion International (not specific to the elderly)-It only takes care of the orphans left with them and sometimes builds for them houses and latrines; taking them to clinics and providing counseling and guidance.

Churches – visit and pray for them, sometimes provide food and clothes.


Summary and ConclusionOverview of all chaptersMany problems facing older persons such as; low esteem,

poverty, suicide, drug abuse, early death, deteriorating health, lack of basics, abuse and miserable lives result from social isolation.

Social isolation greatly affects older person’s lives but the chances of talking about it are very rare.

Social isolation leads to decreased quality of life and poor standard of living of older persons.


Conclusions cont’dLike any other population at risk, older persons face

diverse experiences of social isolation and challenges in accessing social services, however their quality of life can be improved by the government, families, communities, organizations and older persons themselves. This is because they act as equal partners in promoting the welfare of older persons since everyone has a role to play as it is always said, “Teeth that are brought together are the ones that break the bone”.


RecommendationsReview of the National Policy of older persons to ensure

effectiveness.The international Day of older persons should be made a

special day in every District and if possible at parish level.The government should fight against discrimination and social

isolation of older persons.Involvement of older women and men in decision making and

leadership structures.Establishment of many older persons organization at all levels.More research on the issues of older persons is needed.


Recommendations cont’d.Establishment of programs to promote actions that

encourage older persons to pass knowledge to the young generation.

Dissemination of information about older persons.Ageist and discriminatory attitudes toward older persons

must be challenged. Extension of the social assistance grant to all districts to

stop bias.Ensuring that the existing National social security scheme

is adequate to all older persons in the formal institutions.


Areas for further research Impact of the family on the welfare of the elderly.The role of older persons organizations on improving the

wellbeing of older persons.Effectiveness of extending the national social assistance

grant to the elderly.Assessment of the Uganda national policy for older

persons on the welfare of older persons living in rural communities.


Social work theories relevant to the study.Systems theory: every person has a significant role to

play in ensuring strong family relationships. For instance, If the older person is neglected the whole family is affected.

Ecological theory: this shows how the environment affects the people living in it. For instance, the older persons living in rural areas where poverty is rife and health services limited. This affects their way of living.


REFERENCES Biordi, D. L., & Nicholson, N. R. (2009). Social isolation. Chronic Illness: Impact and Interventions. 7th

ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 85-116.

Bond,J. and Corner, L. (2004) Quality of Life and Old Age. Open University Press: Buckingham.

Bradburn, N.M., 1969. The structure of psychological well-being. Chicago: Aldine Publishing.

Findlay, R. and Cartwright, C. (2002) Social Isolation and Older People: A Literature Review, Australasian Centre on Ageing. University of Queensland: Brisbane.

Kamusiime Zadock, (2010), The effects of ageism on the welfare of the elderly in Butanda Sub-county 2000-2010. Kabale, Uganda.

Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development [MGLSD], (2009) National policy for older persons: Ageing with security and dignity. Kampala Uganda.

Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development [MGLSD], (2002), Study on the Health Needs of Older Persons, Uganda.

Effect of Social Isolation on the wellbeing of Older Persons in Uganda

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