The Importance of Social Network of Older People in their Emotional, Material and Information Support
Keywords:
social network, emotional support, information support, material support, older peopleAbstract
Maintaining and strengthening social networks is an important factor in ensuring the quality of life in the old age. The study was performed to determine the members of the social network who represent an emotional support to older people, and those who provide the information, social and material support. We used the qualitative methodological approach, and two older persons were included in the study. The data were collected with semi-structured interviews and analysed with the Atlas.ti 8 programme. We discovered the differences in size and structure of the interviewed persons’ social networks. The emotional support is offered only by the closest family members, whereas the range of people providing material and information support is wider. According to the results, we can conclude that the social network becomes narrower with age; however, it depends on the person’s lifestyle and their ability to maintain and strengthen their social network.
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