Document Type : Scientific research
Authors
1
Corresponding Author, PhD in Sociology, Department of Sociology, Research Center for Social Sciences, Research Institute of Hawzah and University, Qom, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Research Center for Social Sciences, Research Institute of Hawzah and University, Qom, Iran.
3
PhD in Public Administration, Department of Management, Research Center for Social Sciences, Research Institute of Hawzah and University, Qom, Iran.
4
Graduate in Level 4, the Islamic Seminary of Qom, PhD in the Quran and Hadith, University of Islamic Denominations, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The present study examines the role of social support for the elderly in enhancing the quality of their lives. The research method was document analysis and the data were collected through looking at library documents, articles, dissertations, online data bases, indexes and scientific software, searched by relevant keywords. The findings showed that there is a lack of coherent research in the field, especially when it comes to building a model with a religious approach in Iran. From a religious perspective, social support for the elderly has four aspects: communicative, emotional, instrumental and spiritual. Communicative support includes learning from the elderly’s experience, keeping ties and having cordial conversations with them, being considerate of the weakness of their bodies, and treating them with patience and poise. Emotional support includes cherishing and revering them, saying appropriate words to them, doing good deeds for them, and being kind and grateful to them. Instrumental support includes financial support from relatives and government, nafaqa, and giving gifts to the elderly. Spiritual support includes having blessings, livelihood and benisons delivered to them, and sympathizing with them. Given the emphasis placed by the Islamic culture on providing special support for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, it is expected that all-round official and unofficial social support is provided with attention to the elderly’s special needs and through asking their views.
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