| dc.description.abstract | Older persons are vulnerable to poverty, social injustice, and isolation by
their family, friends and communities. This essay explores the challenge of
isolation and how it is connected to the other challenges and its effect on
their wellbeing. We developed a conceptual framework that links isolation
and other determinants of social wellbeing of old persons as a means of cla rifying the right solutions to their problem. The focus was on older person’s
experiences of isolation and the causes of social isolation. The study was ex ploratory and descriptive, using the case of Rwamucuucu Sub County of the
Rukiga District in 2013. We interviewed older persons and community
members using questionnaire and focused group discussions, local leaders
and officials with key informant interviews. The study found strong connec tions between social isolation and older person’s wellbeing. The results show
that older persons experience very many problems in their day to day lives
including, poverty, lack of social support, ill health, abuse of human rights
and mental problems, which have also led to increased isolation. Causes of
social isolation of older persons were: family issues, poverty, ill-health, lack
of right policies, ageism, cultural issues, modernism, illiteracy and poor
planning lack of older persons organizations. The study recommended that
while the duty to care of older persons lies with many stakeholders including
the community, caretakers, civil society, and older persons themselves, gov ernment retains the lead responsibility to provide a positive living environ ment for older persons. | en_US |
