After reviewing this weeks learning resources (ATTACHED), respond to the following discussion prompts:

A social convoy is the group of people that we carry with us through life to provide social support. Social support typically involves three components: interaction, concern, and caring. The quality of social relationships varies along these dimensions. Interaction refers to social exchanges that take place between people. Concern is the awareness that something may be wrong. Care is the willingness to help. The progression from interaction to concern to care reflects deepening social bonds. While social convoys change throughout life due to death, conflict, or other major life transitions, the people who make up our convoys are generally stable and long term.

Research has shown that social connection and social support are very important to the well-being of older adults. Gender differences have been found in the size and the intensity of social ties throughout life. In addition, demographic changes in longevity, marriage, and birth rates may impact the composition of social convoys in future cohorts such as the Gen Xers and the Millennials. Have you ever thought about who will be there to provide support when you get old? In this exercise, you will map your own social convoy and reflect upon whether your convoy is strong enough to support you in later life.

• Who are the key members of your social convoy?
• Do you anticipate that these people will be in your life through old age?
• Based on this weeks module, is your social convoy large, average, or small relative to the average older adult?
• Are you satisfied with the composition of your social convoy or do you think there are areas that need to be improved? What steps, if any, might you need to take to ensure that you have good support later in life?
• Is your social convoy gendered, in your opinion?
• How might current demographic trends impact the composition of social convoys for future cohorts?  How do you think this will impact the well-being of future older adults? How might older adults with a small social network compensate and build better support?

Explain, and make reference to themes from the readings. 

An excellent response will be at least 2-3 paragraphs in length, using complete sentences and concise language. Please cite at least 2 of this week’s Learning Resources in your response.