What value does social support have in the context of aging?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In late adulthood, social support reduces stress, thereby promoting physical health and psychological well-being. Availability of social support increases the odds of living longer. Nevertheless, when assistance is excessive or cannot be returned, it often results in reduced self-efficacy and psychological stress. Formal support—a paid home helper or agency-provided services—as a complement to informal assistance not only helps relieve caregiving burden but also spares aging adults from feeling overly dependent in their close relationships. For social support to foster well-being, older adults must take personal control of it. This means consciously giving up primary control in some areas to remain in control of other, highly valued pursuits. Perceived social support (older adults' sense of being able to count on family or friends in times of need) is associated with a positive outlook in older adults with disabilities, whereas sheer amount of help family and friends provide has little impact. Finally, besides tangible assistance, older adults benefit from social support that offers affection, affirmation of their self-worth, and sense of belonging. Extraverted seniors are more likely to take advantage of opportunities to engage with others, thereby reducing loneliness and depression and fostering self-esteem and life satisfaction. But supportive social ties in old age have little to do with quantity of contact. Instead, high-quality relationships, involving expressions of kindness, encouragement, respect, and emotional closeness, have the greatest impact on mental health in late life.