The article analyses social networks of elderly people in Slovenia, with emphasis on the role of neighbours as members of the social support network. The role of neighbours is significant in smaller material support and socializing, while it is negligible in other forms of support. However, neighbouring networks have important potential and can be vital for specific groups (for example for older people in general, and widows and widowers specifically). In the article the comparison between 1987 and 2002 was made to determine the changes in role and significance of neighbours in social networks. The conclusion of the article is that the trends are not clear and must be observed in a broader context of changes in the particular time segment.
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