1

Families and Seniors Together:Building Relationships

(FAST – 2)

2

Adapting the FAST Model for Older People Social isolation and loneliness

(emotional isolation) recognised as an important health issue given its negative impact on well being and quality of life

In UK, 2-20% of people over the age of 65 are socially isolated (Victor et al., 2000)

Social context and physical environment exert a more potent influence up the experience of old age than intrinsic genetic or biological factors (Victor et al., 2005)

Despite numerous interventions implemented nationally and internationally little is known about what is effective (Cattan et al., 2005)

Both National Service Framework for Mental Health and for Older People encourage local health promotion sectors to address this issue

3

Adapting the FAST Model for Older People Target ‘at risk’ communities

where there is a likelihood of older people being socially and/or emotionally isolated (ie. people at risk but not necessarily identified)

Key assumptions: (1) ageing may be stressful for individual and family; (2) social bonds between generations positively affects psychosocial functioning and builds cohesion

Need to build protective factors for well-being (eg. number and complexity of social contacts) and minimise risk factors for social and/or emotional isolation (eg. absence of social resources, family stress or conflict)

4

FAST – 2 Team and Community Links Team

3 older people 1 family carer Director of Healthy

Hillingdon, Primary Care Trust

2 social workers from Hillingdon Social Services Older People’s Team

2 social work academics/researchers

Director, Brunel Institute for Ageing Studies

Currently recruiting younger person

Community links 3 lunch clubs in

different areas of borough

Volunteer groups (including a befriending scheme and church community) for a missing generation (ie. fictive kin)

Leader of Hillingdon Council for possible funding for pilot (s)

5

Proposed Model

Proposed key strategic goals (based on research evidence): Social engagement and well being for

older person (ie. building relationships) Strengthening overall family system (ie.

facilitating communication) Family carer support (ie. linking family to

appropriate community resources; peer support)

Strengthening intergenerational relationships (ie. relationships between younger and older generations)

Linking older people, families and community (ie. building relationships)

“It’s not just for older people; it’s social capital for everyone!”

6

Proposed Model

Proposed structure (based on research evidence): Multi-family groups (n=10) for 8 weeks Family defined by participants but must

include 3 generations Family within geographic region Any generation missing filled in with

volunteers who act as fictive kin 2.5 hour agenda – will include family meal,

shared activity (s) and one-to-one time for older and middle generation and older and younger generation

Group facilitators are other older people, family carers, younger generation and social workers

Implementation and outcome evaluation

“Creating a society for all ages.”

7

FAST – 2 and EBP Use of existing

knowledge/theory (that which is transferable) and making it contextually relevant – thus the creation of new knowledge with contextual relevance

Engagement with older people, family carers and younger generation to develop a model of practice – thus embracing multiple perspectives

Maintaining commitment to social work values (ie. well being for all, valuing diversity, etc)

Value of evaluating the new model – new knowledge that makes a social contribution and supports professional accountability