Starting with Lives

Abstract

A recent summary of research findings concluded that social policy and practice should use older people's lives as the starting point to plan and evaluate services (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2004). Based on the findings of a small-scale qualitative study and related research, this article explores the strategies and ways of coping used by older people to manage changes and difficulties that accompany ageing.• Findings: It is suggested that older people's strategies and ways of coping can be understood as efforts to sustain a sense of self in later life and a model of some key processes involved is presented. The empirical findings of the study are related to theoretical models of ageing and identity management. Attention is directed to the interaction between structural resources and constraints, dominant cultural norms and values, and older people's individual capacities for reflexivity and interpretation. • Applications: It is argued that this understanding has significant implications for the planning and delivery of social work and social care services that aim to promote the well-being of older people. In particular, practitioners need to understand the meaning and significance that difficulties and different approaches to managing them have for individuals. Interventions should be sensitive to, and seek to support, older people's cognitive ways of coping, as well as their practical strategies.

Homes away from home: Registered clubs as leisure providers for older people living in the Tweed Heads region of Australia

“…These findings resonate with those reported in previous studies; for example, Simpson-Young and Russell (2007) concluded that club use contributes to older club-goers' social integration, sense of control, and positive identity, as well as facilitating the management of stressors in day-to-day life. Additional findings reported by Tanner (2007) and Thompson et al (1990) highlight the importance older people attach to keeping busy and presenting themselves to others as busy and productive. According to Tanner (2007), 'busyness' is seen as a bulwark against depression and physical deterioration.…”

“…Additional findings reported by Tanner (2007) and Thompson et al (1990) highlight the importance older people attach to keeping busy and presenting themselves to others as busy and productive. According to Tanner (2007), 'busyness' is seen as a bulwark against depression and physical deterioration. Observations made by participants in the present study suggest that busyness may also signify virtues such as fortitude, self-control, and a refusal to succumb to pointless despair.…”

“…Challenging this theory, recent studies indicate that many older people are disinclined to withdraw from life and are healthy, happy, active, and resourceful (Carrigan, 1998;Laslett, in Legge & O'Loughlin, 2002;Yang Yang, 2008). Older people' s contributions to society via child care, voluntary work, and participation in cultural pursuits are now well documented (Kelly & Freysinger, 2000;Tanner 2007). Ideas regarding suitable policies and programs for older people have already started to shift; for example, Wearing (1995) noted that the development of masters (or veterans) events in swimming and athletics and the accomplishments of some older participants had undercut the traditional therapeutic approach to sports activities.…”

“…Reviewing Cutler Riddick and Stewart' s findings in light of theoretical models, Siegenthaler (1996) suggested that people who perceive their leisure options as limited may feel less motivated and consequently have less inclination to participate. Health problems are not the only barrier to older people' s leisure participation -additional barriers noted in the literature include a lack of income and transport, a lack of skills, the weather, and the absence of a partner or companions (McGuire, 1983;Losier, Bourque, & Vallerand, 1993;Tanner, 2007).…”

“…A different perspective was taken by Tanner (2007), who acknowledged the different contributions that models of ageing had made but also identified their limitations. In essence, she saw these models as narrow and simplistic, contending that they focused largely on individual psychology.…”