Loneliness and Patterns of Health Service Usage: Evidence From Healthy Ageing in Scotland

Abstract Loneliness is associated with poorer health status and health outcomes. Yet, little is known about how loneliness in ageing populations is associated with health service usage. Loneliness (UCLA-3) was measured in older people in Scotland (Healthy Ageing in Scotland, HAGIS, n = 1,057). We analysed socio-demographic, perceived health, and health behaviour characteristics using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The survey data (HAGIS, 2016/17) were linked to retrospective administrative health data to investigate patterns of health service usage (from 2005), such as the number of hospital visits and mean length of stay, and their associated costs. Two-part models were used to highlight variation i) in those who had ever vs never been admitted to hospital, and ii) between those who had been admitted. Our results highlight the variation in hospital service usage in those experiencing loneliness and opens discussion on the implications for older people and hospital services.

Download Full-text

SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS: A LATENT CLASS APPROACH TO COSTING HEALTH SERVICE ENGAGEMENT IN AGING POPULATIONS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1967 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S535-S535

Author(s):

Elaine Douglas ◽

David Bell

Keyword(s):

Health Service ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Latent Class ◽

Health Data ◽

Service Usage ◽

Population Groups ◽

Administrative Health Data ◽

Service Engagement ◽

Health Service Usage ◽

The Impact

Abstract Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer health status and poorer health outcomes. Little is known the impact on health service usage, and its inherent cost, although it is considered to be higher. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine profiles (population groups) of loneliness and social isolation in older people (aged 50+, n=1,057) using model-fit criteria. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and social isolation used a measure of social networks and social contact. We then analysed the socio-demographic, perceived health, and health behaviour of these profiles using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The survey data (HAGIS, 2016/17) were linked to retrospective administrative health data to investigate patterns of repeat prescription use (from 2009) and health service usage (from 2005) and their associated costs. Our results highlight the distinction and inter-relation between social isolation and loneliness (including associations with socio-demographic and health characteristics), and the variation in health service usage and costs between the population groups. LCA profiles may help focussed targeting of these groups for health interventions. Further, the data-driven approach of LCA may overcome some of the limitations of indices of social isolation and loneliness. As such, this will extend the existing methodological approaches to quantitative analyses of social isolation and loneliness and demonstrate the benefits of using linked administrative health data. Significantly, this study incorporates the social and financial cost of social isolation and loneliness on health and its implications for health services.

Download Full-text

The relationship between loneliness, social isolation and health service usage in an older population: an example of administrative data linkage using Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS) and NHS records

International Journal for Population Data Science ◽

10.23889/ijpds.v4i3.1283 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Elaine Douglas ◽

David Bell

Keyword(s):

Health Service ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Healthy Ageing ◽

Self Report ◽

Public Health Approach ◽

Service Usage ◽

Older Population ◽

Population Groups ◽

Health Service Usage

Objectives Social isolation and loneliness in older populations have been widely reported since 2000s, and are both associated with poorer health status, and physical and mental health conditions. Yet, little is known about how patterns of social isolation and loneliness in ageing populations are reflected in health service usage. Further, the range of definitions and the limitations of, often used, indices of social isolation and loneliness can make it difficult to understand how social isolation and loneliness is manifest within populations and across place. AimTo understand variation in health service usage in an older population in Scotland who self-report loneliness and social isolation. MethodsLatent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine profiles (population groups) of loneliness and social isolation in older people in Scotland (Healthy Ageing in Scotland, HAGIS, n = 1,057) using model-fit criteria. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and social isolation used a measure of social networks and social contact. We then analysed the socio-demographic, and subjective health (physical and mental) of these profiles using logistic regression. The survey data (HAGIS, 2016/17) were linked to retrospective administrative health data to investigate patterns of health service usage (from 2005). ResultsOur results highlight the distinction and inter-relation between social isolation and loneliness and the variation in health service usage between these population groups, in particular, the number of hospital admissions and length of stay. ConclusionThis study adds further evidence of the association between social isolation, loneliness and poor health, and offers new insights into variation in health service usage. Such an approach also offers substantive potential for the adoption of a public health approach to benefit those most at risk of social isolation and loneliness, and poorer health outcomes.

Download Full-text

The relationship between HIV testing, stigma, and health service usage

AIDS Care ◽

10.1080/09540120903193666 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 373-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Sean D. Young ◽

Eran Bendavid

Keyword(s):

Health Service ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Service Usage ◽

Health Service Usage ◽

The Relationship

Download Full-text

Relationship between household types, health-related lifestyle, health service usage, and health outcomes across age groups

Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion ◽

10.14367/kjhep.2021.38.3.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Eun Sook Lee

Keyword(s):

Health Service ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Age Groups ◽

Service Usage ◽

Health Service Usage ◽

Health Related

Download Full-text

Person-centered and Integrated Care for Ageing Populations

The International Journal of Person Centered Medicine ◽

10.5750/ijpcm.v5i2.525 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 64-67

Author(s):

Islene Araujo de Carvalho

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Health Systems ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Intrinsic Value ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Healthy Ageing ◽

Functional Abilities ◽

Care Delivery Model ◽

Negative Health Outcomes ◽

Ageing Populations

Background: Disintegrated and uncoordinated services and those neglecting the concerns of users tend to be associated to negative health outcomes for older people. Objectives: This paper is aimed at exploring how the concept of person centred care can be relevant for ageing populations and its implications for health systems.Methods: These involved a critical review of the literature, both standard scientific data banks as well as internet-based sources. Results: It was found that the best way to reorient health systems towards the goal of healthy ageing is by placing older people at the centre of service delivery. While people-centered and integrated services are fundamental for all including ageing people, the strategy mix may be optimized by attending to the goals of healthy ageing and the older person’s values. Discussion and Conclusions: An older person-centred integrated health care delivery model that focuses on prevention and care coordination seems to be the best approach to reorienting health systems. Successful older-people-centred health services are organized around the needs of older people, acknowledging their intrinsic value and contribution to society, and enabling their functional abilities.

Download Full-text