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Bath, P.A. and Gardiner, A. (2005) Social engagement and health and social care use and medication use among older people. European Journal of Ageing, 2 (1). 56 - 63.
Abstract
Social engagement has been associated with improved health outcomes in older people, although the precise mechanisms by which this is mediated are not clear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between social engagement and health and social care use and medication use in older people. Data were derived from the 1985, 1989 and 1993 waves of the Nottingham Longitudinal Study of Activity and Ageing, a nationally representative sample of people aged 65 and over. Logistic regression models were used to determine whether social engagement predicted cross-sectional and longitudinal health and social care use and medication use. People with higher social engagement were significantly less likely to have seen their family doctor, the district nurse or home help services, and to be taking two or more medications cross-sectionally. This relationship was independent of demographic factors, physical and mental health and physical activity for contact with the district nurse or home help services. Higher social engagement was associated with reduced contact with home help services after 4 years, independent of demographic factors, physical and mental health, and with reduced medication use after 4 years in unadjusted models. Higher social engagement was associated with increased contact with home help services after 8 years, when controlling for demographic factors, physical and mental health and physical activity. Higher social engagement may help to reduce cross-sectional health and social care service and medication use but further research is required to understand the benefits of social engagement and medium- and long-term service/medication use.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2005 Springer-Verlag. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in European Journal of Ageing. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Social engagement; Health; Social care use; Medication use. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Information Studies |
Date Deposited: | 25 Apr 2014 12:20 |
Last Modified: | 25 Apr 2014 12:20 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10433-005-0022-9 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer Verlag |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s10433-005-0022-9 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:78637 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Social engagement and health and social care use and medication use among older people. (deposited 23 Mar 2009 14:29)
- Social engagement and health and social care use and medication use among older people. (deposited 25 Apr 2014 12:20) [Currently Displayed]