Social networks and the wellbeing of older adults in Singapore

Abstract

In Singapore, where family forms the desired multidimensional support for older adults, the vision of successful aging and wellbeing in later years are inevitably articulated with a focus on the importance of family as the core of one's social network. To what extent will the nature of social network changes among older adults with aging population and rapid socio-cultural and economic changes? Using qualitative data from a study of older adults who were either living alone or with family members, this chapter focuses on living arrangement as a platform to examine how prevailing living arrangements as expressed by the older adults shed light on the dependency of family. In addition, the role of non-family social network, in particular, friends and neighbors is explored in understanding how they compensate the family in contributing to the wellbeing of older adults, especially among those living alone. The study highlights the circumstantial and structural constraints/opportunities available in contributing to the dynamics of social network for one's wellbeing. It suggests the need to tease out from the broader definition of family-centric support the variability that may affect one's wellbeing and the need for appropriate policy measures to ensure the wellbeing of older adults with or without a family close-by.