Ageing and Society

ABSTRACT The inclusive development strategy proposed by the Chinese government embraces social inclusion for older people. In line with most developing countries, China's policy on social inclusion for older people focuses almost exclusively on material security in the form of pensions. This paper examines the impact of pensions on social inclusion for older people across four dimensions: family interaction, social support, social participation and self-assessment using data from the 2014 China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey. The results demonstrate that pensions improve dramatically the relationships between older adults and their family members and friends, and therefore their social inclusion in the life world. The exception is social participation which seems to be immune to material income effects. However, the stratified pension system in China generates complex and hierarchical effects on social inclusion among different sub-groups. Social inclusion among older people with high exclusion risks but low pensions is very sensitive to pension levels. Conversely, most pensions are distributed to those with the lowest exclusion risks as a result of the disappearance of their impact on social inclusion. We argue that future social inclusion policies for older people in China should focus first on achieving greater equality in pensions.

HUOYUN ZHU

ALAN WALKER

Pensions and social inclusion in an ageing China

养老金与老龄化中国的社会包容性

Identifying vulnerable older people and understanding the causes and consequences of their vulnerability is of human concern and an essential task of social policy. To date, vulnerability in old age has mainly been approached by identifying high risk groups, like the poor, childless, frail or isolated. Yet vulnerability is the outcome of complex interactions of discrete risks, namely of being exposed to a threat, of a threat materialising, and of lacking the defences or resources to deal with a threat. In this article, we review approaches to vulnerability in various disciplines in order to develop a systematic framework for approaching vulnerability. This framework distinguishes and examines the interactions among the domains of exposure, threats, coping capacities and outcomes. Drawing on European and Asian gerontological literature, we discuss what might be meant by these domains and their place in the understanding of vulnerability in old age. Two case studies are presented – one on homelessness in Britain, the other on familial care provision in Indonesia – to illustrate the ways in which specific vulnerabilities are created and distributed over the lifecourse.

ELISABETH SCHRÖDER-BUTTERFILL

RULY MARIANTI

A framework for understanding old-age vulnerabilities

理解老年脆弱性的框架

ABSTRACT This paper reports a United States study of the factors that influence the turnover of older adult volunteers. Based on a parent study of programmes that use older adult volunteers, the follow-up study examined the experience for 207 older volunteers who served in ten programmes in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Telephone interviews and mail surveys were used to collect programme and personal information. The findings indicated that aspects of the volunteer experience, like duration of involvement, volunteering in other programme(s), type of activity, the adequacy of on-going support, and the availability of stipends influenced volunteering retention and turnover. Respondents who volunteered for a longer period were committed in other programmes, felt better supported, and received a stipend were less likely to quit volunteering in a designated programme. Also those volunteering in public safety programmes were least likely to quit. As reported by older adult volunteers themselves, the primary reasons for volunteer withdrawal included a higher priority of another productive activity or commitment, declining health, and problems with the programme administration. Volunteers with extensive experience were least likely to withdraw. The findings suggest that organisations with volunteer programmes can promote older adults' long-term engagement as volunteers by providing on-going support and stipends. Changes in programme characteristics would impact positively on volunteer retention, especially among low-income older Americans.

FENGYAN TANG

NANCY MORROW-HOWELL

EUNHEE CHOI

Why do older adult volunteers stop volunteering?

为什么老年志愿者会停止志愿服务？

Christina Victor, Sasha Scambler and John Bond, The Social World of Older People: Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation in Later Life, Open University Press, McGraw Hill Education, Maidenhead, UK, 272 pp., pbk £22.99, ISBN 13: 978 0 335 21521 8. - Volume 29 Issue 7

JIM OGG

Christina Victor, Sasha Scambler and John Bond, The Social World of Older People: Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation in Later Life, Open University Press, McGraw Hill Education, Maidenhead, UK, 272 pp., pbk £22.99, ISBN 13: 978 0 335 21521 8.

克里斯蒂娜·维克托、萨沙·斯卡姆布勒和约翰·邦德，《老年人的社会世界：理解晚年生活中的孤独与社会孤立》，开放大学出版社，麦格劳-希尔教育，英国梅登黑德，272页，平装本22.99英镑，ISBN 13: 978 0 335 21521 8。

Abstract Having grandchildren is known to reduce individuals’ labour supply. However, it is unclear whether there is a negative association between grandchild care provision and employment among grandparents. Moreover, we do not know how the magnitude of any association between the two activities may vary across countries characterised by different child-care policy regimes. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, this paper investigates the association between daily grandchild care provision and two employment outcomes for grandmothers and grandfathers aged 50–69: the probability of being employed and the average weekly working hours. Recursive bivariate models are used to account for the potential selection of grandparents with different unobserved traits into work and family care. Estimates are compared across four country groups characterised by different child-care policy orientations: optional de-familisation, service de-familisation, supported familism and familism by default. On average, across 20 European countries, grandparents looking after grandchildren daily are no less likely to work than grandparents who do not; however, employed grandfathers work eight hours less per week if providing daily child care. Evidence of a negative association between daily grandchild care and employment is strongest in countries with familistic approaches to child care, with no association in countries characterised by optional de-familisation. This suggests that public support to child care may help retain grandparents in the labour force.

Ginevra Floridi

Daily grandchild care and grandparents' employment: a comparison of four European child-care policy regimes

日常孙辈照料与祖父母就业：四个欧洲儿童保育政策体制的比较

Abstract Although many positive social changes have been achieved over the past 30 years, members of LGBT, Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities continue to encounter negative experiences with health and ageing service provision. In this article, 232 responses from a survey exploring ageing and care concerns and preferences among LGBT, Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities in Australia were analysed using chi square analysis. The largest proportion of participants were aged 55–64 years (26.4%, n = 61), with the majority residing in metropolitan regions (67.7%, n = 154). The three most frequently selected gender identities were cisgender woman (40.1%, n = 93), cisgender man (39.7%, n = 92) and non-binary (11.6%, n = 28). The three most frequently selected sexual orientations were gay (39.2%, n = 91), lesbian (32.0%, n = 77) and queer (17.7%, n = 41). While many concerns demonstrated no age-related differences, concerns regarding physical differences, respect and inclusion, finances and standard of care reflected higher levels of concern among younger participants compared with older participants. Preferences for receiving information reflected a desire for LGBT, Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities-specific resources for options for support from participants approaching retirement, that is, aged 55–64 ( x 2 (5, n = 178) = 11.08, p = 0.050); less desire for information provided through public health service services among participants aged 65+ ( x 2 (5, n = 178) = 15.58, p = 0.008); and variation in preferences regarding supports provided by LGBT, Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities. Results suggest that different generations of LGBT, Sistergirl and Brotherboy members may prefer to receive services and information in different ways. Further research is needed to understand how concerns, expectations and preferences are influenced across generations.

Annette Brömdal

Melinda N. Stanners

Amy B. Mullens

Lisa Beccaria

Joseph Debattista

Jennifer Sargent

Chris Howard

Ann Matson

Ged Farmer

Age-related differences regarding ageing and care service concerns and information preferences among LGBT, Sistergirl and Brotherboy people in Australia: a cross-sectional study

澳大利亚LGBT、Sistergirl和Brotherboy人群中与年龄相关的衰老和护理服务关注点及信息偏好的差异：一项横断面研究

Abstract People living with dementia are often presumed to have no agency or capacity to act in the social world. They are often excluded from participating in research while research methodologies may not capture their embodied engagement with people and places. Yet, like everyone, people with dementia can express their agency in nuanced ways, for example, through emotions or embodied expression. In the conceptual framework discussed here, nuanced agency is conceived as consisting of non-deliberative elements (embodied, emotional, habituated, reflexive and intersubjective) and deliberative elements (choices or decisions and facilitative). Although people with dementia have been found to benefit from gardens with their sensory appeal, how they experience gardens is not well understood. This critical interpretive synthesis aims to explore how people with dementia experience nuanced forms of agency and citizenship in gardens. A conceptual framework of agency was developed to address the aim and support the analysis. Analysis of the 15 included studies highlighted the value of the conceptual framework in identifying a wider and more granular array of nuanced agency expressed in embodied form and through dialogue. This included expressions of intersubjective and facilitative agency that informed opportunities for people with dementia to experience relational citizenship socially in communal garden settings. These findings suggest an opportunity for researchers to explore the embodied agency of people living with dementia more comprehensively by applying theoretical concepts of agency. Further testing of the framework’s utility for guiding collection and analysis of primary data involving people with dementia in garden settings is recommended.

Lee Rushton

Louisa Smith

Lyn Phillipson

Gardens, agency and citizenship of people with dementia: a critical interpretive synthesis

痴呆症患者的花园、能动性与公民身份：一项批判性解释性综合研究

Abstract Extant literature shows that small conversations with strangers can help improve individuals’ wellbeing while reducing feelings of loneliness. Nevertheless, previous studies on talking to strangers tend to focus on young participants in controlled experimental settings, leaving a gap in understanding older adults’ experiences and their likelihood of adopting talking to strangers as part of their daily healthy ageing practices. Considering the problem of worsened social isolation and loneliness among older people during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is even more important to include them in the promotion of social inclusion through micro-conversations with strangers. To understand older adults’ attitudes and experiences of talking to strangers, this study interviewed 19 older people based on their trial of talking to strangers over a three-month period. Findings reveal that their willingness and confidence varied by age and gender, with retired individuals being more active in engaging with strangers. Time constraints and lack of self-efficacy were identified as barriers, particularly among those still working or with caregiving responsibilities. Rather than personal gains, the act of kindness towards others was emphasised as the key motive. These insights are valuable for policy makers and organisations supporting older people’s wellbeing, highlighting the potential for older individuals to serve as conversation initiators, promoting mutual kindness and wellbeing in communities.

Dorothy A. Yen

Benedetta Cappellini

Ming-yao Jen

Christina Victor

Happy to chat? Understanding older people’s attitudes and experiences of talking to strangers

愿意聊天吗？了解老年人与陌生人交谈的态度和经历

Abstract This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the literature by examining the relationship between religious involvement and subjective wellbeing (SWB) among older adults in Taiwan, a cultural context that has been underrepresented in existing research, with a focus on gender and age differences. Using data collected in Taichung City in 2017 (N = 645), this study measured religious involvement through religious affiliation, religiosity and frequency of religious participation, and assessed SWB via life satisfaction and happiness. Findings revealed no significant association between religious involvement and life satisfaction. However, religious participation was positively correlated with happiness. Gender differences were observed: Buddhism and Taoism were positively associated with life satisfaction among males, whereas religiosity and religious participation were significantly related to life satisfaction and happiness among females. Age disparities were also found, with religiosity significantly relating to both life satisfaction and happiness in the old-old group (70–89 years) but not in the young-old group (60–69 years). These findings highlight the nuanced associations between religious involvement and SWB, emphasising the importance of considering gender and age variations in future research. Future studies should further explore the cultural contexts that shape these relationships and examine other potential mediating factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how religious involvement influences wellbeing across different demographic groups.

Keqing Zhang

Wei Zhang

Christopher G. Ellison

Wei-Pang Wang

Religious involvement and subjective wellbeing among older adults in Taiwan: exploring gender and age differences

宗教参与与台湾老年人主观幸福感：探讨性别和年龄差异

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Emilie McSwiggan

<i>Retirement Migration and Precarity in Later Life</i> Marion Repetti and Toni Calasanti, Policy Press, Bristol, UK, 2023, 151 pp., hbk £79.99, ISBN: 978-1-4473-5821-3

《退休迁移与晚年 precarious 生活》Marion Repetti 和 Toni Calasanti，政策出版社，英国布里斯托尔，2023年，151页，精装本 £79.99，ISBN: 978-1-4473-5821-3

Abbreviation	Ageing. Soc.
Journal Impact	2.47
Quartiles(Global)	GERONTOLOGY(Q2)

ISSN	0144-686X, 1469-1779
h-index	97

Publication Information	Publisher: Cambridge University Press，Publishing cycle: ，Journal Type: journal，Open Access Journals: No
Basic data	Year of publication: 1981，Proportion of original research papers: 94.90%，Self Citation Rate:4.30%， Gold OA Rate: 48.18%

Ageing and Society

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