Social Support for Seniors Living in the Home Environment

Abstract

Social support is very important for a happy old age. It aff ects a person's health and mental well-being and is also perceived as a protective factor of social exclusion in old age. The aim of the article is to present partial results of quantitative research done in the fi eld. In the research, data collection was performed with the use of the PAPI methodology. The research group was seniors aged 65 and older living in their own household. The research is a part of the project 'Sociální vyloučení u seniorů 65+ žijících v domácím prostředí v ČR' (Social exclusion in Seniors Aged 65+ Living in the Home Environment in the Czech Republic). The results of the research did not show that seniors were a socially excluded group. Most seniors living in their own households claimed to have enough social contacts and did not feel lonely. They perceived family, friends, neighbours, the community, and contacts with them as important social support. This was infl uenced by age and health factors, though. An interesting fi nding was also the role of the municipality in creating a supportive environment for the quality of life of seniors in the community and natural encounters of individuals during volunteering.