Recommended Sources on Social Isolation and the Elderly
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de Beauvoir, Simone. The Coming of Age. Vintage, 2006.
• A classic philosophical exploration of aging that challenges conventional perceptions of later life and discusses the social implications of aging. -
Rowe, John W., and Robert L. Kahn. Successful Aging. Pantheon Books, 1998.
• This work introduces a model that redefines aging beyond decline, focusing on engagement, health, and social interactions in older adults. -
Holt-Lunstad, Julian, et al. “Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review.” Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol. 10, no. 2, 2015, pp. 227–237.
• A meta-analysis providing empirical evidence on the health risks linked to social isolation and loneliness, underscoring the importance of interconnection in later life. -
WHO. “Ageing and Health.” World Health Organization, 2018.
• A comprehensive resource offering statistical data and discussions on the health challenges of aging, including the impact of social isolation on wellbeing. -
Aronson, Louise. Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2019.
• This book reevaluates the narrative around aging, advocating for a perspective that sees later life as a period of potential and continued societal contribution.
These sources provide both philosophical and empirical insights into the nature of aging and social isolation, offering perspectives that range from personal meaning to community-based approaches for enhancing later life.