Details of Support Provided by Welfare Commissioners to Older Men Living Alone

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to clarify the details of support provided by welfare commissioners to older men living alone.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews of 10 welfare commissioners in City A and analyzed the responses by employing a qualitative descriptive approach.

Results: The details of support included the following: “reaching out in a way that reduces wariness and rejection,” “providing support to detect and avoid risks to lifestyle and health,” “preventing isolation by connecting them to their family and the community,” “being a dependable lifeline that can respond in emergencies,” “watching out for them in the community,” “regularly helping them maintain and continue a healthy lifestyle in their daily life,” and “coordinating with the Regional Comprehensive Support Center to connect them with services in a timely manner.”

Discussion: Welfare commissioners provided support to older men living alone by connecting them with their family, watching out for them in the community, and other means. The findings of this research can be valuable data for welfare commissioners and welfare organizations in providing support and cooperation for older men living alone, who are difficult to support.