Abstract
Purpose : The purpose of this study was to describe the strength, weakness, and community characteristics related to social isolation in older men living alone in an urban area. Method : The subjects were 20 older men living alone (primary Informant : PI) in an urban O high-rise apartment's district and Y suburban farm district in a metropolitan city, and 14 public health nurses, social care workers (Key Informant : KI). The study design was a qualitative induction research. The data was collected by semi-structured interview and analyzed from the viewpoint of the strength, weaknesses in older men and community. Result : The mean age of PI was 79.5 years, the mean period of livng alone was 8.4 years, and the mean period of professional experience of KI was 10.8 years. The theme of strength was "autonomy", the theme of weakness was "loneliness" in both districts. However, "socializing among neighbors and community" differed between two area: that of Y district showed <strong membership and kinship in community>, and that of O district was <weak membership and kinship in community>. Conclusion : In order to facilitate the establishment of the interrelationship among the older men living alone and their neighborhood in urban area, it is necessary to consider the interpersonal relationships between the elderly and their neighborhood in their community.
