Social Connectedness of Deaf Retirees

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2013

Abstract

The intergenerational connectedness that has traditionally bound members of the Deaf community to each other is changing amidst the current technological and cultural landscape. This study explores perceptions of Deaf retirees concerning their usefulness to younger generations and their need to stay connected to each other despite increasing isolation due to implications of aging. Factors such as communication networks, transportation availability, proximity to families and friends, technology, and vital connections to the local residential school for children who are deaf are discussed as emergent themes from two focus groups conducted with 14 Deaf retirees. This exploratory study sought to discover how the dynamics between the generations have evolved and the positive and negative impact of such changes. The voices of the retirees in this study shed light on the complicating issues surrounding communication as a lifeline between generations of Deaf people who are native users of American Sign Language. Additionally, the traditions of social connectedness upheld by the Deaf community are similar to those of other collectivist cultures that also may experience shifting social networks within their own communities. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title

Educational Gerontology

Volume

39

Issue

10

First Page

750

Last Page

760

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/03601277.2012.734165

ISSN

03601277

E-ISSN

15210472

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