Social Isolation of Older Persons and Their Well Being:

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.