Utilizing ICT to prevent loneliness and social isolation of the elderly. A literature review

Ageing of the population is a worldwide phenomenon. Numerous ICT-based solutions have been developed for elderly care but mainly connected to the physiological and nursing aspects in services for the elderly. Social work is a profession that should pay attention to the comprehensive wellbeing and social needs of the elderly. Many people experience loneliness and depression in their old age, either as a result of living alone or due to a lack of close family ties and reduced connections with their culture of origin, which results in an inability to participate actively in community activities (Singh & Misra, 2009). Participation in society would enhance the quality of life. With the development of information technology, the use of technology in social work practice has risen dramatically. The aim of this literature review is to map out the state of the art of knowledge about the usage of ICT in elderly care and to figure out research-based knowledge about the usability of ICT for the prevention of loneliness and social isolation of elderly people. The data for the current research comes from the core collection of the Web of Science and the data searching was performed using Boolean? The searching resulted in 216 published English articles. After going through the topics and abstracts, 34 articles were selected for the data analysis that is based on a multi approach framework. The analysis of the research approach is categorized according to some aspects of using ICT by older adults from the adoption of ICT to the impact of usage, and the social services for them. This literature review focused on the function of communication by excluding the applications that mainly relate to physical nursing. The results show that the so-called ‘digital divide’ still exists, but the older adults have the willingness to learn and utilise ICT in daily life, especially for communication. The data shows that the usage of ICT can prevent the loneliness and social isolation of older adults, and they are eager for technical support in using ICT. The results of data analysis on theoretical frames and concepts show that this research field applies different theoretical frames from various scientific fields, while a social work approach is lacking. However, a synergic frame of applied theories will be suggested from the perspective of social work.

Proyecto de apropiación de las TIC en servicios sociales de atención social primeria del Ayuntamiento de Madrid

La implementación de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación en el campo de los Servicios Sociales implica un enorme espectro de oportunidades para la visibilidad, la eficiencia y la gestión interna, a la vez que posibilita una apertura en cuanto al acceso a los mismos por parte de la ciudadanía. Además, las múltiples oportunidades que las TIC suponen para la inclusión social exigen que los Servicios Sociales y el Trabajo Social se apropien de las mismas como herramienta básica en la Intervención Social.

Mediation and the Social Work profession: particularly in the community context

In 2008, the European Union published its Directive on mediation in civil and commercial matters, offering general regulation of this conflict resolution system, its principles, and its objectives. Social workers have for some time defended their role as mediators, but this reality has changed and mediation appears to have taken shape as an independent profession due to existing regulation, its introduction to universities and the implementation of training courses. This article analyses the differences between the two professions: mediator and social worker. It also considers the mediation that is carried out in the community context. Community mediation is a perfect tool for achieving a changed understanding of public social services, seeking to encourage citizens to participate in and take responsibility for community life and thereby to become active citizens as envisaged by the 2012 Global Agenda for Social Work. However, mediation in this context has certain peculiarities, and at times confusion may arise between the figures of social worker and mediator.

La confianza en la construcción de la realidad social

El artículo analiza el rol que cumple la confianza en la construcción de la realidad social, argumentando que constituye uno de sus componentes esenciales. Lo es porque hace posible el nacimiento, permanencia y reconocimiento colectivo de las instituciones, así como su iteración y organización en subsistemas.

El voluntariado de la cruz roja colombiana seccional Boyacá como constructor de capital social

Tesis (Maestría en Estudios y Gestión del Desarrollo).-- Universidad de La Salle. Maestría en Estudios y Gestión del Desarrollo, 2014

Los conceptos de bienestar, exclusión social, necesidades humanas y marginación: su uso en las ciencias sociales

En este artículo se examinan las características principales de los conceptos de marginación, exclusión, bienestar social y necesidades humanas que son utilizados con mucha frecuencia en la literatura sobre pobreza y desarrollo social. Además se enfatizarán las críticas centrales que se han hecho al uso de los mismos.

The social construction of “Feeling of Burden”: Narrative on dependency and care in old age

In a society in which ambivalent positions of old age coexist, suffering from limitations in the basic functions of the human being disrupts the identity of old people and the social perception that is held of them. The impact of the deterioration and the physical incapacity affects not only old adults but also those who take care of them; it entails repercussions of instrumental, emotional and social types. Within the social and subjective dimension of aging arise stereotypes and negative images from being considered dependent subjects; one of most important of these is the “feeling of being a burden”. During the in-depth interviews, the diverse implications of this negative image in advanced old age are identified in old adults and their carers in the city of Durango, Mexico. The analysis of narratives shows results pertaining to the interrelation between the subjective aspects of the identity, the beliefs, and the power of social discourses.

Innovación social: estrategia para la apropiación social del conocimiento

Tesis (Trabajadora Social).-- Universidad de La Salle. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y sociales. Programa de Trabajo Social, 2014

Aportes del movimiento estudiantil a los procesos de movilización social en Colombia

Tesis (Trabajadora Social).-- Universidad de La Salle. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y sociales. Programa de Trabajo Social, 2014

Percepciones y experiencias de las y los jóvenes desvinculados(as) del conflicto armado sobre su proceso de reintegración social

Tesis (Trabajadora Social).-- Universidad de La Salle. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y sociales. Programa de Trabajo Social, 2011

Dinámicas de las familias vinculadas a la mesa de participación de víctimas del conflicto armado adscritas a la subdirección local para la integración social de Usme-Sumapaz

Tesis (Trabajador(a) Social).-- Universidad de La Salle. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y sociales. Programa de Trabajo Social, 2013

Innovación social: una estrategia para generar liderazgo social

Tesis (Trabajadora Social).-- Universidad de La Salle. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y sociales. Programa de Trabajo Social, 2014