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"You have got to get off your backside; otherwise, you'll never get out": older male carers' experiences of loneliness and social isolation

Loneliness is framed as an enduring problem for carers of all ages, including older carers; however, there is little examination of older men's experiences of caring, loneliness and social isolation. Based on interviews with 25 men (aged 68-92 years), we discuss findings from a study of older male carers' experiences of loneliness in England. Within their accounts, loneliness is framed as a future, rather than present, problem as caring provides a time-limited buffer to loneliness while concurrently increasing social isolation. Further, the findings shed light on how male carers seek and benefit from carers' support groups while also maintaining autonomy.

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Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Policy press
ISBN/ISSN
2397-883X
Publication Year
2020
Issue Number
3
Journal Titles
International Journal of Care and Caring
Volume Number
4
Start Page
311
End Page
330