DYNAMICS OF SUPPORT NETWORKS - DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN VULNERABLE GROUPS

Findings from three linked studies of support networks of vulnerable g roups are summarized and discussed in this paper. Attention is drawn t o the structure of informal support for the 'old elderly' (over 75 yea rs of age), elderly people with dementia and people with a learning di fficulty, and an attempt is made to compare network dynamics across th e groups. Differences and similarities in the support networks of thes e groups help to draw attention to the differentiated nature of vulner ability and risk within the support capacity of the community. The pap er concludes by considering policy and practice implications.