Konsekvenserna av att leva i ensamhet som äldre : En litteraturstudie

Sammanfattning

This is a literature study, and it was done with the purpose of analyzing the consequences of loneliness among the elderly people. This study’s focus is on the consequences of loneliness among the elderly on an individual level and examining elderly’s position in society. Key terms in this study have been elderly and lioness. Loneliness is a hard defined term due to its complexity being a feeling, and therefore experienced differently from individual to individual. In our study we have used various articles and reports to answer our question of issue. There were studies that indicated that loneliness had a negative effect on the elderly. It was mainly mental illness in the form of depression but also physical health problems. However, there are studies that indicate that it is not possible to conclude that loneliness can cause health problems. In our study, various risk factors have been identified that may explain why older people tend to experience the feeling of loneliness. Example of risk factors that have been identified in our studies are the status of a partnership, economic factors, gender, family etcetera. Besides these factors another factor that is mentioned as a reason why the elderly tends to live in loneliness is discrimination that takes place in society. Based on the theory of ageism, we concluded that the elderly has a lower status in society and discrimination is a contributing factor.