Informal and formal support from a multi-disciplinary perspective: a Swedish follow-up between 80 and 82 years of age

This longitudinal study used a multi-disciplinary approach and examined the relationship between psychosocial and health characteristics and the patte rn of informal and formal support for non-institutionalized very old people . The data were derived from a single cohort of 80-year-old people living i n Lund, Sweden who were followed over a 3-year period. In order to account for potential sample bias, an analysis at 80 years measured the differences between the participants who were measured at both test periods, the drop- outs who discontinued from the study prior to 82 years, and the deceased wh o died prior to 82 years (n = 212). Results revealed that the groups differ ed significantly according to reported number of children and health measur es: the participants were most likely to have children and exhibited the be st health. Bivariate analyses examined social, psychological and health var iables for survivors (n = 93) at both 80 and 82 years in relationship to in dependent, informal, and formal support type. Loneliness was significantly and consistently associated with support type at both 80 and 82 years: both frequency and strength of loneliness were most often reported in the forma l support group. Depression was significantly related to support type at ag e 80 only. Looking at change in the psychosocial and health measures and ch ange in support over the 3-year period, no significant relationships were f ound. Our study concludes that for the very old, in addition to requiring i ncreased support over a 3-year period, loneliness is a significant characte ristic that may accompany the receipt of support. Professionals who plan an d implement social support programmes for elderly persons should also consi der emotional and psychological needs.