Reciprocity and Old Age

Thompson, Sue

doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6687-1_3

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Maintaining social networks through regular relationships is an important aspect in positive ageing. Constructing the relationship as a professional one allows older people to fulfil expectations for contribution (Martinson and Halpern 2011; Thompson 2013). Constructing the relationship as personal allows visitors to construct their ageing as positive through their participation in meaningful relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘You're not really a visitor, you're just a friend’: how older volunteers navigate home visiting

2016

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At the intersection of increasing social support needs due to population ageing and the promotion of older age as a time of contribution and social connection, volunteering is an important focus with advantages for older people. One service that addresses both these imperatives is home visiting services. Home visiting services connect home visitors with isolated older people. To examine how older people navigate volunteering for a home visiting service, six visitors were interviewed and the interviews were analysed using discourse analysis. A professionalism discourse was used to construct home visiting as a structured social support service that improved the lives of isolated older people. A personal relationship discourse constructed home visiting as an opportunity to forge long-term relationships that benefit both parties. At times these two discourses created tension for home visitors. Examining how the home visiting service is described by the service organisation online explains these tensions. The online materials construct active older volunteers as providing professional services while those they visit are constructed as receiving friendship. These discourses provide different ageing identities for visitors from those they visit, which contributes to the difficulties in navigating home visiting services. Addressing these tensions will enable service co-ordinators to better meet the needs of both visitors and clients in the context of increasing need for such services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%