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Self-Help, Mutual Aid, and Support Groups Among Older Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Benjamin H. Gottlieb
Benjamin H. Gottlieb
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
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Abstract

This review of the literature on the subject of health-related self-help and support groups for older adults begins by defining these two small group helping arrangements, and proceeds with a discussion of the extent of their utilization by older adults, barriers to participation, and ways of tailoring the groups to the needs and circumstances of older adults. The process and outcomes of these groups are also reviewed, and recommendations are offered regarding future research directions and ways of optimizing both the appeal and impact of these two types of mutual aid groups.

Resume

Cette revue de la documentation sur les soins personnels et les groupes de soutien dans le domaine de la santé chez les personnes âgées débute par la définition de ces deux approches et enchaîne avec une discussion de l'étendue de leur utilisation par les personnes âgées, les obstacles à la participation, et les façons d'adapter les groupes selon les besoins et les circonstances des personnes âgées. L'auteur examine également le fonctionnement des groupes et les résultats obtenus et recommande des avenues de recherche future et des façons d'optimiser à la fois l'attrait et l'efficacité de ces deux types de groupes d'assistance mutuelle.

Keywords

Mutual AidSelf-HelpSupport GroupsOlder AdultsPolicyPracticeLiterature ReviewD'assistance mutuellesoins personnelsgroupes de soutienpersonnes âgé(e)spolitiquepratiquesrevue de la documentation
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 19 , Issue S1 , Summer/Été 2000 , pp. 58 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2000

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