Social Support Networks, Patient Status, and Institutionalization

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Abstract
The purpose of this research is to identify the relationship of social support to patients' functional status and institutionalization. Social support networks are considered as buffers between declines in physical functioning and risks of being institutionalized. Various dimensions of social support networks are investigated to determine if there are differential effects on the use of skilled nursing facilities. Multivariate analyses of data obtained from an experimental study of geriatric day care and homemaker services were performed. Findings show that social support plays an important role in mitigating the effects of deteriorative health status, and thus reduces the risk of being institutionalized. Furthermore, those who were most likely to improve in physical and mental functioning had stronger social support networks.