Two studies from the University of Eastern Finland have found that social support is closely linked to health and well-being among older adults. The research indicates that older adults with access to both general and health-related social support tend to live longer, with an average increase in lifespan of two years compared to those without such support. These findings are based on 21 years of follow-up data from participants in the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study.
The studies also observed that friends, neighbours, and colleagues play a significant role in supporting older adults, which contrasts with earlier research that emphasized the importance of family members.
"Our study recommends implementing policies that enhance older adults' ability to create and maintain social relationships beyond family relations. Moreover, actions to promote health and well-being should not only focus on old age but also invest in preventative measures through different stages of a person's life."
Another aspect of the research focused on home care recipients. Using survey data from the Old-age Social Exclusion in Home Care - Prevalence, Meanings & Intervention (SOLDEX) project combined with administrative records, researchers found that adequate social support was associated with a better quality of life for these individuals.
"We found that having access to social support was associated with a better quality of life, while those with less social support experienced a lower quality of life. Likewise, promoting psychological well-being, such as reducing depression and enhancing functional abilities, including activities of daily living, improved the quality of life for older adults," Catherine Kayonga says.
The results also showed that higher education levels contribute positively to quality of life in later years. In contrast, difficulties with daily activities were linked to reduced quality of life. Researchers suggest these findings highlight the need for home care services to address both the social and health needs of older adults.
These studies were carried out within the Neuro-Innovation PhD programme at the University of Eastern Finland and received funding from both the university and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research initiative under Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 101034307.
