Research On The Construction Of Informal Social Support Networks For The Left-Behind Elderly In Rural Areas

At present,the research on the rural area left-behind elderly mainly concentrates on their life present situation,the field research of social support networks and countermeasure research,few case based on the informal support networks construction project of rural left-behind elderly,which analyses and summaries the theory and practice experience.Therefore,this article takes the community aid project for left-behind elderly performed by Z social work service,in the city of N,as an example,uses literature research,questionnaire and semi-structured interview methods,combines with the research status at home and abroad,analyses the life present situation and the informal support networks status of left-behind elderly,researches the building situation of left-behind elderly informal support networks performed by social work services,including application methods,service contents,achievements and the insufficiency,and so on.The article puts forward the strategies of social work and provides actual and effective reference for the the construction of rural left-behind elderly informal support networks.The construction of informal support networks for the left-behind elderly performed by Z social work service,got through the social worker case service mode,neighborhood assistance mode,volunteers mode and mutual assistance mode,used case,group,community service and advocacy methods to newly construct social workers,volunteers and love-help-age members to part three support main bodies,strengthens the original relatives,families,peer groups,and neighborhood supports to provide effective practical support,emotional support and social communication support to build up a link between the informal support main bodies and the elderly.The study found that after conducting community assistance program,the informal support networks structures of left-behind elderly becomes more reasonable,newly constructed social worker,love-help-age members and volunteers to provide supports,enhanced the supports of peers and neighborhoods;constructed information communication platform,strengthened the support from village committees;the functions of practical support,emotional support and social communication support partly improved.But the deficiencies is part of love-help-age members’ supports were insufficient,volunteers resources utilization and integration were insufficient,the elderly recreation group lacked the organizers.Based on the achievements and insufficiency of the project,the author put forward the social work intervention strategies,including:carry out social work publicity and training activities;strengthen the connection of intra-system and inter-system support resources;build volunteer team,establish the service mechanism of linkage between social workers and volunteers;promote mutual concept,rely on the elderly association to set up support groups;advocacy filial piety culture,create the well prevailing custom of "respect,love and help the elderly".