Support System for Older Adults

Support System

Name

Institution

Literature review

Support system for older adults is one of the essential sociology topics. Numerous studies have largely focused on social support and social networks of human interaction. However, formal and informal support systems play an increasingly vital role in every day people’s daily lives. Factors such as raise in longevity, improved healthcare and level of learning achievement of older adults give older adults a fresh identity and create diverse development patterns. According to the vignettes presented by Mehrotra and Wagner (2006), Rosanne Sanchez, an elderly widowed lady with physical disability enjoys limited support system. Rosanne receives healthcare at health facility that gives care to the older adults. As a widow in a health care centre, she has no family circles, friends, but fellow elderly people to interact with.

        Formal support systems are made up of private organizations, agencies and government agencies set up to support the public. Some of these formal support systems include: Public and private mental health practices and agencies, Low-Income Assistance agencies, and other charitable group, churches among others  (Williams, Peckham, Kuluski, Montgomer, Morton, & Watkins, 2010). In this instance, Rosanne could benefit from support systems such as: Low-Income Assistance, Family Services and Church services. On the other hand the Informal support systems generally refer to family circles, friends, associates, and co-workers among other groups. Through informal support, Rosanne could benefit from visits by charitable groups, family friends, grocery visits from family and friends.