Social networks and the prediction of elderly people at risk

Abstract

The relationship between social support and risk has been well-documented. This paper presents a typology of support networks found amongst older people living in the community. The distinguishing features of five different types of networks are described and a risk profile for each network type is presented. It is shown that different networks have different strengths and weaknesses and that the nature of potential risks is related to the type of support network. Further, the paper addresses the significance of the identification of support network for practice, decision making and intervention with particular reference to: social isolation, hospital discharge, admissions to residential care and mental illness.