Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T01:12:50.316Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Network Variables as Determinants of the Elderly Entering Adult Residential Care Facilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2008

Mary Bear
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, University of Florida, College of Nursing, 711, Lake Estelle Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, USA.

Abstract

This research extends the study of social network analysis and labelling theory into the context of adult residential care facilities (ARCFs). Network density, reciprocity, and intensity are hypothesized to explain who labels the frail elderly ‘out of place’ in their homes and refers them to an adult residential care facility. Using data from interviews with 81 new, elderly ARCF residents and 75 of their closest others, logistic regression analyses indicate that network intensity is related to the differential involvement of professionals and informal network members in the ARCF entry process. Findings suggest further research on the networks of the elderly's relatives may explain the role of density in ARCF labelling and referral. Practice implications incorporating a network strategy are addressed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

NOTES

1 Mullins, L.Health and social care for elderly people in Sweden: implications for policy in the United States. Ageing and Society, 6 (1986), 197207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

2 Wilkin, D. and Hughes, B.Residential care of elderly people, the consumers view. Ageing and Society, 7 (1987), 175201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

3 National Association of Adult Residential Care Facilities. NARCF: 1987 Directory of Residential Care Facilities. National Association of Adult Residential Care Facilities, Richmond, Virginia, 1987.Google Scholar

4 Fisher, G. and Tessler, R.Family bonding of the mentally ill: An analysis of family visits with residents of board and care homes. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 27 (1986), 236249.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

5 Bear, M.Use of adult congregate living facilities: Impact of network characteristics on health severity at the time of entry. Adult Residential Care Journal, 2 (1988), 158175.Google Scholar

6 Habenstein, R., Kiefer, C. and Wang, Y.Boarding Homes for the Elderly: Overview and Outlook. Center for Aging Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1976.Google Scholar

7 Granovetter, M.The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78 (1973), 13611380.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

8 Gouldner, A.The norm of reciprocity: a preliminary statement. American Sociological Review, 25 (1960), 161178.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

9 Ingersoll-Dayton, B. and Antonucci, T.Reciprocal and nonreciprocal social support: Contrasting sides of intimate relationships. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 43 (1988), S6573.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

10 Wentowski, G.Reciprocity and the coping strategies of older people: Cultural dimensions of network building. The Gerontologist, 21 (1981), 600609.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

11 Hammer, M.Influence of small social networks as factors on mental hospital admission. Human Organization, 22 (1963), 243251.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

12 Horwitz, A. Social networks and pathways to primary treatment. Social Forces, 56 (1977). 86105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

13 Perrucci, R. and Targ, D.Network structure and reactions to deviance of mental patients. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 23 (1982), 217.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

14 Horowitz, A. and Shindelman, L.Reciprocity and affection: past influences on current caregiving. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 5 (1983), 519.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

15 Lewis, J. and Meredith, M.Daughters caring for mothers: The experience of caring and its implications for professional helpers. Ageing and Society, 8 (1988), 121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

16 Lowenthal-Fiske, M.Lives in Distress, Basic Books, New York, 1964.Google Scholar

17 Barnes, J. ‘Networks and political process’, in Clyde, Mitchell J. (ed.), Social Networks in Urban Situations, University of Manchester, Manchester, 1969, pp. 5176.Google Scholar

18 Krout, J.Knowledge and service use by the elderly: A critical review of the literature. International Journal of Aging Human Development, 17 (1983), 153167.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

19 McKinlay, J. B.Social networks, lay consultation, and helpseeking behavior. Social Forces, 51 (1973), 275292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

20 Ward, R., Sherman, S. and LaGory, M.Informal networks and knowledge of services for older persons. Journal of Gerontology, 39 (1974), 216223.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

21 Bott, E.Family and Social Network, 1st edn, Tavistock Publications, London, 1957.Google Scholar

22 Cohen, C. and Rajkoswki, H.What's in a friend? Substantive and theoretical issues. The Gerontologist, 22 (1982), 261266.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

23 Wellman, B. ‘Studying personal communities’, in Marsden, P. and Lin, N. (eds), Social Structure and Social Networks, Sage Publications, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA, 1981.Google Scholar

24 Snow, R. and Crapo, L.Emotional bondedness, subjective well-being, and health in elderly medical patients. Journal of Gerontology, 37 (1982), 609615.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

25 Neimeijer, R. ‘Some applications of the notion of density’, in Boissevain, J. and Clyde, Mitchell J. (eds), Network Analysis Studies in Human Interaction, Mouton and Company, The Hague, 1973, pp. 4566.Google Scholar

26 Sokolovsky, J., Cohen, C., Berger, D. and Geiger, J.Personal networks of exmental patients in a Manhattan SRO hotel. Human Organization, 37 (1978), 515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

27 Marsden, P. and Campbell, K.Measuring tie strength. Social Forces, 63 (1984), 482501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

28 Bear, M. ‘Friendship patterns among the elderly: Exploratory study at an adult congregate living facility’. Unpublished manuscript, University of Florida, 1984.Google Scholar

29 Allan, G.Friendship and care for elderly people. Ageing and Society, 7 (1986), 111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

30 Biegel, D., Shore, B. and Gordon, E.Building Support networks for the Elderly: Theory and Applications, Sage Publications, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA, 1984.Google Scholar

31 Garrison, J. and Howe, J.Community interventions with the elderly: A social network approach. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 24 (1976), 329333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

32 Bear, M.Health Care Options for the Frail Elderly: Summary and Evaluation. The Local Health Council of East Central Florida, Inc., Orlando, 06 1987.Google Scholar

33 Kane, R. and Kane, R.Long-Term Care: Principles, Programs, and Policies. Springer Publishing Company, New York, 1987.Google Scholar