Enriching Social Connectivity in Later Life

Socially connected older adults are happier and healthier. Social relationships in later life provide social support and a sense of belonging in the face of retirement, bereavement, and declining health. Population aging and low fertility rates have sparked renewed interest in understanding how social networks form and change in later life.

Social networks encompass a web of interpersonal relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances. Social networks are dynamic, evolving over time across the lifespan. It is commonly believed that aging leads to smaller, more kin-centered social networks due to the loss of primary roles such as worker, parent, or spouse. Yet, some older adults remain or become even more socially active in their later life, spending more time with their family and friends.

In Singapore, research conducted by the Centre for Ageing Research and Education (CARE) at Duke-NUS Medical School[1] revealed that nearly half of older adults maintained strong connections with their relatives and friends. Surprisingly, about one-third of these socially active older adults were unmarried, and one-sixth lived alone. These findings challenge the stereotype of solitary aging, demonstrating the resilience and proactive efforts of unmarried and solo-dwelling older Singaporeans in retaining social network diversity.

In addition, studies showed that many older Singaporeans were capable of maintaining their existing social networks or expanding their social circles rather than experiencing network shrinkage over time. However, older men, those with less education, and with declining functional and mental health were more likely to lose their social connectedness. The disruptions in routines and interactions due to diminished social relationships can lead to physical, mental, and cognitive health decline, increasing the risk of mortality.

Recognizing the pivotal role of social networks in later life, concerted efforts are needed to support older adults in maintaining diverse connections with immediate and extended family, relatives, and friends. For instance, befriending services by trained volunteers may provide older adults at risk of social isolation with crucial companionship and support.

Collectively, public initiatives should focus on promoting digital access and literacy among older adults. Proficiency in communication apps and social media can facilitate social connectedness, especially for those with limited mobility. Extending the retirement age and promoting engaging activities such as volunteering and lifelong learning may also help empower older adults, motivating them to sustain extensive social networks.

References

[1] Sung, P., Malhotra, R., Cheng, G. H.-L., & Chan, A. W.-M. (2022). Transitions in Social Network Types over Time among Older Adults. Gerontology, 68(7), 817–828. https://doi.org/10.1159/000521213

Cheng, G. H.-L., Sung, P., Chan, A., Ma, S., & Malhotra, R. (2022). Transitions between social network profiles and their relation with all-cause mortality among older adults. Social Science & Medicine, 292, 114617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114617