THE EXPERIENCE OF OLDER MEN LIVING ALONE

The Experience of Older Men Living Alone



The Experience of Older Men Living Alone

Review

The number of elderly people is expected to increase in the UK and most other Western countries. The proportion of people living alone in the UK has doubled from 6% of the population in 1971 to 12% in 2008. In 2006 11.3 million were over State Pension Age, up 420,000 since 2002, 7.2 million women were aged 60 and over, 9.7 million people were aged 65 and over, of whom 5.5 million were women; 2.7 million were aged over 80, up 220,000 since 2002 (Kitwood, 1992). Population projections indicate that by 2031 there will be more than 1.1 million people aged 90 and over in Great Britain. Of those aged 80 and over living alone 72% are women. It is not known how living alone affects older peoples' mental well-being, but population surveys undertaken so far suggest it may have an impact. An ELSA Age Concern report (2008), for example, found life satisfaction is higher for older people living with others than for those living alone, even though they have worse physical health (Pearce, 2002).

Various factors are known to be associated with the well-being of people living alone, and this has been reflected in the focus of the extant literature. Gender differences have been investigated by Age Concern who found amongst women, 54% of those living alone perceived their health as fair/poor compared with 32% of those living with others, with this difference not found in men, although men aged 80 and over living alone report higher loneliness than those not living alone.

Question 1

This reconsider aspires to critically assess the recent literature on the impact of dwelling solely on the well-being of older mature persons. Conflicting evidence emerges. In general, dwelling solely appears to have a negative impact on well-being, though not exclusively. Further research is suggested to explore the individual knowledge and meanings of their resides to individuals who reside alone.

Question 2

This study points out that older men who live alone do not necessarily outlook life after retirement as an ending. Instead, it can be a time that permits them to chase undertakings that encourage self-understanding and self-improvement, because they are no longer experiencing career and paid work stresses and have the opening to relish other concerns such as melodies, preparing food, art, antiques, history, and sports. It is also a ...