A recent article in Welzijn op Recept features Tineke Fokkema and Mirjam Kingma, who share insights from their research on the use of social networks in loneliness interventions for older migrants.
They emphasise that it is not just the number of contacts that matters, but especially the quality of relationships and the expectations older people have of these contacts. They also point out that discussing relationship quality in group settings can be difficult, while one-on-one conversations can provide more room for meaningful dialogue.
In addition, they highlight a blind spot in many interventions: the focus is still too much on the older adults themselves, whereas involving their immediate environment is essential for sustainable change.
These findings will be taken into account in the further development of loneliness interventions within the PROMISE project, and the role of the surroundings in reducing loneliness among older migrants will be further studied.
Curious to read the full article? Read it here: https://welzijnoprecept.nl/extra-risicofactoren-eenzaamheid-oudere-migranten/
