The Necessity of Promoting Social Participation in Order to Reduce Social Isolation in Older People

Many Asian countries including Sri Lanka, has experienced rapid ageing of the population from last few decades. Sri Lankan elderly population currently represents 12.4% of the total population. When the elders are reaching to their old age, they have to face different kinds of situations and difficulties. Among them, social isolation is one of the major negative situations that elders have to face. To decrease this condition of social isolation, increasing the level of social participation is necessary for the older people. The main purpose of this study is to explore the necessity of promoting social participation in order to reduce social isolation in older people. Under this main aim, this research discusses the topics as causes and effects of social isolation in older people, existing services for older people, benefits of social participation and activities need to promote social participation in older people. The sample size of this research is 25 respondents and this study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The researcher followed purposive sampling method which comes under non- probability sampling. Questionnaire and semi- structured interview have used for data collection. Data analysis was done with the use of statistical methods through MS Excel software and qualitative data through thematic analysis method. The findings of this research will help for the authorities, social service organizations, related professionals, academics and whole society to understand the necessity of promoting social participation in order to reduce social isolation in older people.