American International Journal of Social Science

Social Support among Elderly People: Case Study Focused on the Silver Jubilee Home in Penang, Malaysia
Habeb Abdallah Ahnaeish Saleh

Abstract
The purpose of the study is to examine the level of social support from family and friends for elderly residents of the Silver Jubilee Home in Penang, Malaysia. In this study, the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS) was used to assess three dimensions of social support: the frequency of visitation and communication, confidante relationships, and the quality of decision-making processes involving families and friends. Participants in this study reported low levels of social support received from their families and friends across the three social network dimensions of visitation and communication, confidante relationships, and involvement in decision making processes. In addition, the study subjects, whether males or females, received low levels of social support in all types of confidante relationships and involvement in decision-making processes. However, male residents received more visitors and established higher levels of communication with their families and friends than their female counterparts.

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