Maintaining residential independence in later life: Investigating the importance of social networks of care & support
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: School of Geography
Abstract
My research is interested in the lives of elderly people who do not have a partner (either through
bereavement, divorce, or being single long-term), with a particular focus on non-kin relationships and
wider social networks. I plan to explore how both household formation and geographical proximity
between older people's friends and families can impact their experiences of 'ageing in place'. I also
seek to map the spatialities of care, and to examine how support extends beyond the spatial
boundaries of the home. This research is especially pressing at a time when there are widespread
concerns about 'healthy ageing', and debates about how to provide sufficient care for the elderly.
Furthermore, this study is particularly timely because recent cuts to elderly home-care have resulted in
an increasing number of older people relying heavily on their social networks for everyday care and
support (Age UK, 2015).
bereavement, divorce, or being single long-term), with a particular focus on non-kin relationships and
wider social networks. I plan to explore how both household formation and geographical proximity
between older people's friends and families can impact their experiences of 'ageing in place'. I also
seek to map the spatialities of care, and to examine how support extends beyond the spatial
boundaries of the home. This research is especially pressing at a time when there are widespread
concerns about 'healthy ageing', and debates about how to provide sufficient care for the elderly.
Furthermore, this study is particularly timely because recent cuts to elderly home-care have resulted in
an increasing number of older people relying heavily on their social networks for everyday care and
support (Age UK, 2015).
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Eleanor Wilkinson (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Laura Paddon (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000673/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 1951900 | Studentship | ES/P000673/1 | 01/10/2017 | 22/04/2022 | Laura Paddon |
| Description | Organise Events about Social Impact |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Organised and ran an event named 'Social Impact Community Event' - an event run by PhD students for PhD students with the aim of increasing impact of people's research. I delivered a presentation breaking down impact and how it can be achieved, organised speakers from a range of disciplines and carried out activities helping people to think about the impact of their research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Presentation at Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Delivered a presentation about my PhD research at the British Society of Gerontology Emerging Researchers in Ageing Conference 2019. The audience was made up of around 50 PhD researchers and academics and there were questions after. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |