Older Adults, Families, and Social Networks

How do we experience aging, care, and interconnectedness today in modern European societies? How important is proximity to home, people, and a supportive environment? And how do family ties, spatial characteristics, and the accessibility of social infrastructure and care impact this?

These and many other pressing questions are addressed by the new monograph Older Adults, Family, and Social Networks, which, based on original research, sheds light on the daily lives of older adults and the significance of social relationships as a protective factor against loneliness, isolation, and psychosocial decline.

The publication brings together three original research contributions that discuss: the role of family in preventing social isolation of older adults (Sopić), the effects of family communication and involvement in nursing homes (Lučan), and the importance of nurses for the quality of life of older adults in rural areas (Ostović). All three studies are supported by quantitative analyses and are linked to the findings of Geo-gerontological Observatories, which gives the monograph regional breadth and scientific weight. The editors of the publication (Bogataj and Mežnarec Novosel) provide an extensive introductory reflection, placing the content in the broader European and national context of long-term care and highlighting the importance of social networks, spatial accessibility, and family relationships as key elements of the sustainable development of future care models.

Why is this publication important now?

European care strategies, demographic trends, and the increasing demand for long-term care require us to restructure care systems with a greater role for communities and families, develop local care models tailored to spatial, social, and cultural specifics, and invest in quality human resources, not only in institutional settings but also in community and home-based care.

Who is this publication intended for?

Researchers and students in the fields of gerontology, sociology, social work, and nursing, decision-makers and social policy planners, professionals in practice, particularly in long-term care, nursing, family support, and local service development, civil society organizations working on active aging and the inclusion of older adults, as well as anyone interested in understanding what it means to age with support, dignity, and in relationships.

This monograph is a call to renew our views on aging, not as a burden, but as a valuable part of society that primarily needs relationships, proximity, and respect.