Living in your own home and being socially connected at 95 years and beyond: a qualitative study

Background: Being socially connected is linked to positively influencing older people’s ability to remain living in their own homes and has shown to support independence and enhance wellbeing. Aim: To explore how individuals aged 95 years and older living in their own home remain socially connected. Methods: Informed by a critical gerontological approach, semistructured interviews with eight women and two men aged between 96 and 100 years were undertaken. Following transcription, data were thematically analysed. Results: Three main themes illuminating social connectedness were identified: 'Keeping company: staying connected with family and friends', 'Doing things together: engaging with paid and unpaid helpers' and 'Having pride and enjoyment: continuing with hobbies and interests'. Conclusion: It is important that health professionals and social service providers recognise the importance of social connectedness, and provide a range of options to support continuing social connectedness and community engagement for older people.