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Table 3 Respondents’ health change and social network change in the life stage of ‘old age’

From: The impact of social network change and health decline: a qualitative study on experiences of older adults who are ageing in place

Respondent

Health change

Social network change

Nr.

Gender

Health decline before hospital admission - concerning the life stage of ‘old age’

Health decline after hospital admission - compared to health status before admission

Addition of people

Loss of people

Change of existing relations

1

F

Regular aging with negligible health decline

Small

Home care professionals

No

Receiving support from a few close friends

2

M

Large decline due to chronic illness in past decade

Small

Home care professionals

Wife, Friends

Receiving more support from son and daughter-in-law

3

M

Regular aging with negligible health decline

Large

Home care professionals and rehabilitation professionals

Wife, Friends

Receiving more support from daughter and granddaughter

4

F

Large decline due to chronic illness in past two years

Small

Home care professionals

Family, Friends

Only reciprocal relations with family members and friends remained

5

M

Regular aging with negligible health decline

Large

Home care professionals, biological sister

Friends

More intense contacts with friends/neighbours; only superficial contact left with biological sister

6

F

Regular aging with negligible health decline

Small

Home care professionals

Acquaintances

Receiving more support from daughters

7

M

Large decline due to chronic illness in past two years

Large

Home care professionals

Friends/ Acquaintances

Receiving more support from (grand)children; less contact with friends/acquaintances