Aging in community: home- and community-based services clients’ use of computers as a protective factor for social isolation and loneliness

ABSTRACT

Frail older adults are increasingly being cared for in the community via home- and community-based service (HCBS) programs rather than nursing homes. This policy change challenges psychologists, social workers, and all geriatric practitioners to identify risk and protective factors in order to implement community-based policies in ways which promote the well-being of frail older adults.

The present small-scale exploratory study focused on the risk factors of social isolation and loneliness, and the potential of computer use to act as a protective factor. Forty HCBS clients were interviewed about their social convoys, social isolation, and loneliness, and their use of computers. Family members made up the largest percentage of participants’ social convoys (48%). Forty-two percent of participants were found to be socially isolated or at high risk for social isolation. Twenty-five percent of participants used computers and these participants experienced significantly less loneliness and had significantly larger social convoys. All participants were shown a 2.5 -minute video demonstrating a computer programmed to accommodate older adults and 80% expressed interest in using such a program.

Future action research projects are suggested to replicate the study’s findings. Such projects could involve collaboration between gerontologists and local area agencies on aging and “service-enriched” affordable senior housing sites.     

The Libraries They Are A-Changin': How Libraries Reorganize

This article will report on the results of a study of library reorganizations in the literature. The authors identified five steps common to all library reorganizations, and this article describes those steps as well as two management change theories most mentioned in the literature—the eight-step process of change by John Kotter and Reframing Organizations by Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal. The article will draw conclusions formed by a comparison of these theoretical models to the practice and real-life experience of reorganizations as described by libraries in the literature.     

Parents’ Perspectives on Inclusive Schools for Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions

Children with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) increasingly participate in inclusive education. The present study reviewed studies of children with ASC for parents’ perceptions of aspects they believed contributed to inclusive mainstream school settings. Understanding the parental perspective on the facilitators for inclusion of their child with ASC in mainstream schools is likely to improve inclusive practice. Twenty-eight empirical articles revealed that parents perceived teachers as playing a vital role in the inclusion of their children with ASC. The school was considered important in creating an environment that enabled inclusion, particularly through positive peer relations, prevention of bullying and help from support staff. At the societal level, funding and legislative policies were considered important. By understanding these aspects, policy-makers, teachers, school administrators and therapists may better be able to address parents’ inclusion concerns and thereby develop strategies to improve inclusion in mainstream schools.     

Vivre avec les mass media: Une nouvelle mission pour les educateurs

Sans résumé