Summary

Hallstahammar Municipality starts conversation groups for seniors

According to the National Board of Health’s report from 2018, there is a strong connection between depression, social isolation and suicidal behavior. It takes time and energy from the elderly to take care of emotions such as anxiety, anxiety and anxiety. The mental ill-health of the elderly has not been paid enough attention and the preventive work needs to be strengthened for this group. Elderly people do not get enough of other contributions than medicines.

The purpose of our conversation groups is to
• prevent and counter social isolation / involuntary loneliness;
• provide room for in-depth conversations that may be lacking in the everyday life of the elderly;
• create a space for community and the experience of belonging,
• increase the sense that life is meaningful;
• increase mental and existential well-being.

There are distinct stages of development even during the latter part of life and in the conversation group we try to follow and promote this development. We assume, among other things, by G D Cohen: The Mature Man – The Power of the Aging Brain. The needs of the elderly:

• To sum up life, re-evaluate and accept.
  • To deepen their reflections together with others.
  • To free oneself from past limitations in thinking and emotions
  • To explore the creativity that is brought about by finding a desire to continue to live and be alert, despite adversities and losses.

  Call groups for the elderly are an effective and accessible way to increase well-being and reduce and prevent loneliness, anxiety and mental illness. We turn to municipalities, regions, communities and civil society who work with the mental (o) health of the elderly to start conversation groups on eg. meeting points, health centers, retirement homes and other places. The talk material We talk about life is based on research results and evaluations from above all R&D Nestor, the City Mission’s life story groups, the Adult School Västmanland’s Talk Group Senior and our own study circle material So became my life. The results we have been based on in the development of We talk about life – conversation group for seniors are:
  • Call groups are cost-effective initiatives.
  • Many elderly people experience a lack of depth in their lives and this can be a place for the conversation group.
  • The existential conversations were of the greatest importance to the elderly, followed by human meetings and confirmation from others.
  • Looking back facilitates aging and supports the elderly to find meaning in life, provides the opportunity for reconciliation and acceptance of life as it became.
  • Participants in conversation groups gain better knowledge of themselves and their needs. Getting to feel that you are not alone with the issues you have is also important.
  • Results show reduced perceived loneliness, reduced anxiety and greater confidence in the future

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):