This paper discusses living alone as a lifestyle among older people in New Zealand, including population trends and living a meaningful life

Koopman-Boyden, Peggy G.

Moosa, Sheena

English

Research Commons@Waikato

LIVING ALONE AS A LIFE STYLEamong Older People in New Zealand1Professor  Peggy Koopman-Boyden CNZMDr Sheena MoosaPresentation to NZ Association of Gerontology conference Dunedin, 13-14 September 2014 (MBIE Contract no UOWX1201)Living alone in New Zealand2Source: Statistics New Zealand 2014, customised data28%30%36%6%23%25%33% 35%7%23%20%36% 36%8%24%0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%15-44 Years 45 - 64 Years 65 - 84 Years 85 Years andOverTotal peoplelivign aloneLiving alone by age group, 2001, 2006, 2013200120062013Older New Zealanders living alone327% 29%31%73% 71% 69%42% 42% 44%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2001 2006 2013People 65+ years living alone in New Zealand as % of total population living alone, by gender, 2001, 2006, 2013 Source: Statistics New Zealand 2014, customised data-- Females (% of 65+ living alone)– Total 65+ years living alone (% of all ages living alone)… Males                (% of 65+ living alone)427% 29%31%73% 71% 69%42% 42% 44%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2001 2006 2013Older people 65+ Years, by gender46% 48% 48%54% 52% 52%30% 33%36%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2001 2006 2013-- Females (% of 45-64 years  living alone)… Males     (% of 45-64 years  living alone)– Total 45-64 years years living alone (  (% of all ages living alone)Middle-aged and older people living alone in New ZealandMiddle aged 45-64 years, by gender -- Females (% of 65+ living alone)– Total 65+ years living alone ( (% of all ages living alone)… Males    (% of 65+ living alone)Older people of different cultures living alone in New Zealand530%25%9%30%25%28%25%13%0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%European Mäori OtherOlder people (65+) living alone by ethnicity, 2001, 2006, 20132001200620136Older people living alone in the regions, compared with total older people living alone in New Zealand New Zealand5%23%10%8%1%5%3%7%11%1% 1% 1% 1%14%6%3%0%5%10%15%20%25%Older people 65+  living alone as a percent of total 65+ living alone, by region, 2013Why live alone (as an older person)? Motivation for Living Alone comes from:• Freedom and greater choice/personal control – in use of time, resources and activities• Being able to do things by/for yourself – personal care, household maintenance, going places.7Styles of living alone as an older person1. Lived alone – always2. Living alone with occasional family visit3. Living in the same town/suburb where family member, friend, or volunteer visits regularly4. Living alone with occasional stay overs of a friend/family 5. Routine of living alone/and with others for part of the year, e.g. 1/3 living alone, 1/3 with daughter, 1/3 with son.6. Living alone with a pet, teddy bear, robotic dog.8Future trends?• Continuing to live alone possibly becoming a lifestyle choice - choosing not to live with their family/whanauor with others…but also want to be connected. The idea of “living apart, together” (LATs).• Those who live alone “compensate for lowered social contact in the household by being more socially active, and cities with high numbers of singletons enjoy a thriving public culture” (Klinenberg, 2012).9Why would you NOT live alone as an older person?     De-motivators for living alone • Poor or declining health• Loneliness and sense of isolation• Lack of mobility or transport• Difficulty in decision making• Limited financial skills.  10Implications of living alone as a lifestyle – from an older person’s perspective• “No-one to help me if I fall”• “No-one to take me anywhere – to the medical centre, shopping”• No-one to take responsibility• No-one to talk or share with• No-one to hug• No-one to provide another perspective, or to help with decisions. 11Meaningful Life  for older people living alone“A meaningful life for an older person is a life where the person living it has • a sense of purpose, or motivation, and • a feeling of significance” (Koopman-Boyden, 2014).12What provides a sense of purpose? for older people?• Personal activities (self-relationship)– doing things by/for themselves, personal care, exercise, routines etc• Social interaction (inter-personal relationship)– Contact with family and friends, marae, interest groups • Work outside home (public relationship)– Paid work, unpaid work, or volunteering.13What provides a feeling of significance? For older people?• Achievement– taking a walk, a productive garden, learning a new skill• Being valued or appreciated– being referred to by younger generation, intergenerational interchanges• Giving back, continued contribution– volunteering, donations, contributions to marae• Being there, belonging– to support a grandchild’s interests, in a family emergency.14Suggestions FROM older people, FOR policy and practice, re Meaningful LifeMobility• Bus stops closer to supermarkets• Wider pavements for mobility scooters• Chairs in shops.Maintenance• Low maintenance, single person houses with new technology alarms, lighting, heating etc.Finances• Advice on budgeting and managing finances• Simpler procedures for reporting financial abuse.15Suggestions for policy and practice (cont)Health and Nutrition• Regular hearing, teeth and vision checks at GP visits.Emergency support• Life tubes (Age Concern), Ecolite dynamo kits  • House & social alarms.Social connectedness• Programmes/courses for those starting to live alone• Regular ‘senior hour’ at local cafes• Internet courses.16Technological possibilities• Health monitoring watch• Vivago watch – social alarm• Smart watches – iWatches from Apple…..17Key points for Active Ageing and Meaningful Life for older people living alone“A meaningful life for an older person is a life where the person living it has • a sense of purpose, or motivation, and • a feeling of significance” (Koopman-Boyden, 2014).1819• Keep busy• Be valued• Keep connected.Key points for Active Ageing and Meaningful Life for older people living alone (cont)20Professor Peggy Koopman-Boyden CNZMpkb@waikato.ac.nzDr. Sheena Moosamoosa.sheena@gmail.com21Older people in New Zealand2212%13%15%17%19%21%0%5%10%15%20%25%2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031Projected population of 65+ New Zealanders 2006 (base) – 2031 (% of total population)65-69 years 70-74 years 75-79 years 80-84 years 85 years and over Total 65 years and overSource: Statistics New Zealand, 2012Middle-aged living alone in New Zealand2346% 48% 48%54% 52% 52%30% 33%36%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%2001 2006 2013People 45-64 years living alone in New Zealand as % of total population living alone, by gender, 2001, 2006, 2013 -- Females (% of 45-65 yearsliving alone)… Males              (% of 45-64 years living alone)– Total 45-64 years living alone (% of all ages living alone)Overseas examples• First contact service• Vivago watch – social alarm• Intergenerational solidarity programmes.2425Older people living alone compared with total older people living with/without others,  by region28%24%28% 28%31% 30% 32%32%30%26%33%28%34%30%32% 32%0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%Older people living in private dwelling alone, as a percent of total older people living in private dwellings with/without others, by region, 2013

Living alone as a lifestyle among older people in New Zealand

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Living alone as a lifestyle among older people in New Zealand

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