scholarly journals Cumulative Effect of Loneliness and Social Isolation on Health Outcomes among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 920-920
Author(s):  
Timothy Barnes ◽  
Stephanie MacLeod ◽  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
Manik Ahuja ◽  
Laurie Albright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Cumulative Effects ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Socially Isolated

Abstract Loneliness and social isolation are described similarly yet are distinct constructs. Numerous studies examine each construct separately; however, less research has been dedicated to exploring their impacts together. Using survey and claims data among adults age 65+ (N=6,994), the cumulative effects of loneliness and social isolation on late-life health outcomes were examined using Chi-square and multivariate regression models. Loneliness and social isolation were measured using the UCLA-3 Loneliness Scale and the Social Network Index. Participants were grouped into four categories of loneliness and social isolation based on overlap, including: lonely only (L), socially isolated only (SI), both lonely and socially isolated (LSI), or neither (N). Outcomes included quality of life and healthcare utilization and costs. Among participants, 9.8% were considered L, 20.6% SI, 9.1% LSI, and 60.5% N. Respondents were primarily female (55.0%) and 70-74 years of age (27.1%). Those considered LSI were more likely to be older, female, less healthy, depressed, with lower quality of life and greater healthcare utilization patterns. Participants who were L or LSI had higher rates of emergency room visits compared to the N group; LSI had the highest medical costs. Results demonstrate the cumulative effects of loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Findings not only fill a gap in research exploring the impacts of these constructs later in life, but also confirm the need for approaches targeting older adults who are both lonely and socially isolated. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, this priority will continue to be urgent for older adults.

scholarly journals Tailoring interventions for social isolation among older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and pathways to healthcare equity

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Dassieu ◽  
Nadia Sourial
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Vulnerable Population ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Main Text ◽  
Healthcare Equity ◽  
Structural Inequities

Abstract Background Social isolation among older adults raises major issues for equity in healthcare in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Main text This commentary describes current challenges in preventing social isolation among older adults and proposes pathways to develop inclusive approaches to intervention in this vulnerable population. Building interventions that take account of structural inequities among older persons, as well as their subjective experiences, expectations and perspectives, appears fundamental to improve their health and quality of life in pandemic and post-pandemic contexts. Conclusions We argue that equity-based and person-centered approaches are critical to counter the negative outcomes of social isolation in the vulnerable older population.

scholarly journals Are Loneliness and Social Isolation Associated with Quality of Life in Older Adults? Insights from Northern and Southern Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8637
Author(s):  
Giorgi Beridze ◽  
Alba Ayala ◽  
Oscar Ribeiro ◽  
Gloria Fernández-Mayoralas ◽  
Carmen Rodríguez-Blázquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase ◽  
The North ◽  
Health Aging ◽  
Context Specific

Purpose: Loneliness and social isolation have detrimental effects on health in old age; however, the prospective associations with quality of life (QoL) remain unclear. Furthermore, despite the existence of a European north-south gradient in the distribution of loneliness and social isolation, little is known whether the associations are context-specific. We investigated the relationships between loneliness, social isolation and QoL of older adults residing in the North (Sweden) and South (Spain) of Europe. Methods: Study sample consisted of 2995 Swedish and 4154 Spanish older adults who participated in waves six and seven of the Study on Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Loneliness and social isolation were measured at the baseline, and QoL was measured at the baseline and follow-up using CASP-12. Prospective associations were assessed via multivariate linear regression. Results: In Sweden, subjects with higher vs. lower loneliness had 1.01 (95% CI: −1.55, −0.40) units lower QoL, while every standard deviation increase in social isolation was associated with a 0.27 (95% CI: −0.42, −0.09)-unit decrease in QoL. In Spain, every standard deviation increase in social isolation was associated with a 0.66 (95% CI: −1.11, −0.22)-unit decrease in QoL. The association was stronger in subjects aged ≤65 years old and those with no chronic diseases. The association with loneliness was not statistically significant in Spain. Conclusion: Loneliness and social isolation are prospectively associated with decreased QoL among older adults, yet the associations are contextually bound. Future interventions should target both exposures, among others, in order to increase QoL in this group.

scholarly journals Effects of Mind–Body Interventions Involving Meditative Movements on Quality of Life, Depressive Symptoms, Fear of Falling and Sleep Quality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6556
Author(s):  
Manuel Weber ◽  
Thiemo Schnorr ◽  
Mareike Morat ◽  
Tobias Morat ◽  
Lars Donath
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: The aim of the present systematic meta-analytical review was to quantify the effects of different mind–body interventions (MBI) involving meditative movements on relevant psychological health outcomes (i.e., quality of life (QoL), depressive symptoms, fear of falling (FoF) and sleep quality) in older adults without mental disorders. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in five databases (Ovid, PsycINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science). Inclusion criteria were: (i) the study was a (cluster) randomized controlled trial, (ii) the subjects were aged ≥59 years without mental illnesses, (iii) an intervention arm performing MBI compared to a non-exercise control group (e.g., wait-list or usual care), (iv) psychological health outcomes related to QoL, depressive symptoms, FoF or sleep quality were assessed and (v) a PEDro score of ≥5. The interventions of the included studies were sub-grouped into Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) and Yoga/Pilates (YP). Statistical analyses were conducted using a random-effects inverse-variance model. Results: Thirty-seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (comprising 3224 participants) were included. Small to moderate-but-significant overall effect sizes favoring experimental groups (Hedges’ g: 0.25 to 0.71) compared to non-exercise control groups were observed in all outcomes (all p values ≤ 0.007), apart from one subdomain of quality of life (i.e., social functioning, p = 0.15). Interestingly, a significant larger effect on QoL and depressive symptoms with increasing training frequency was found for TCQ (p = 0.03; p = 0.004). Conclusions: MBI involving meditative movements may serve as a promising opportunity to improve psychological health domains such as QoL, depressive symptoms, FoF and sleep quality in older adults. Hence, these forms of exercise may represent potential preventive measures regarding the increase of late-life mental disorders, which need to be further confirmed by future research.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Frailty and Depression, Quality of Life, Disability, and Hospitalization Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audai A. Hayajneh ◽  
Hanan Hammouri ◽  
Eman S. Al-Satari ◽  
Debra C. Wallace ◽  
Mohammad Rababa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background: Frailty syndrome is characterized by a decline in physiological and psychological reserve that leads to poor health outcomes. Objectives: The current study explored frailty and its impacts on health outcomes among older adults in close-knit Jordanian communities. Methods: A secondary analysis (N=109) of community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or over was conducted. The Arabic version of the culturally adapted Tilburg Frailty Indicator, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the SF-36 Quality of Life survey, and disability self-reports were used. Results: Despite Jordanian communities being very close-knit, the results indicated a high prevalence of frailty (78%) and depression (38%) and poor outcomes of cognitive dysfunction and low quality of life among the participating older adults. Further, the prevalence of frailty was found to be 4.2 times higher among females than males and 7.2 times higher among single older adults than married older adults. Conclusion: A high prevalence of frailty and its related adverse outcomes was found among older adults in Jordan.

Social isolation undermines quality of life in older adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 1283-1292
Author(s):  
Karla Moreno-Tamayo ◽  
Betty Manrique-Espinoza ◽  
Eliseo Ramírez-García ◽  
Sergio Sánchez-García
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Global Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Factors

ABSTRACTObjective:Several studies have documented associations between social isolation and poor physical health or well-being. However, little is known of the importance of social support among older adults on specific topics about their quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between social isolation and quality of life among older adults.Design:A cross-sectional study.Setting:Mexico City.Participants:1,252 subjects aged ≥ 60 years living at home.Measurements:We used the Abbreviated Version of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) to assess social isolation and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-Old) to assess quality of life. Socio-demographic and health factors were collected through face-to-face interviews. A series of linear regression analyses were used to investigate relationship between social isolation and quality of life. The statistical models were controlled for socio-demographic and health factors.Results:A total of 750 women (60%) and 502 men (40%) participated in the study. According to their LSNS-6 scores, 426 participants (34.0%) were classified into the highest group of isolation (range 0-10 points). Older adults with higher scores of social isolation exhibited lower quality of life. Regression analyses indicated that social isolation correlated with lower levels of global quality of life, autonomy, intimacy, and past, present, and future activities.Conclusions:Coping with life from a socially isolated situation entails serious difficulties concerning quality of life. Interventions that foster environments where older adults can forge social bonds might improve their quality of life.

scholarly journals Types of Interpersonal Bias: Measurement and Their Association With Health Among LGBTQ Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 735-735
Author(s):  
Anyah Prasad ◽  
Karen Fredriksen Goldsen ◽  
Hyun Kim ◽  
Hailey Jung
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Sociopolitical Context ◽  
The Face ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Everyday Discrimination

Abstract Increasing diversity and rapidly evolving sociopolitical context is changing the face of bias experiences in contemporary America. Accordingly, literature has evolved into four unique ways of describing bias, namely lifetime discrimination and victimization, everyday discrimination, and microaggressions. However, there is less conceptual clarity on the way these constructs are operationalized, measured, and their relationship to one another and health outcomes. In this paper, we discuss the measurement of these four constructs and report their prevalence among a national sample of LGBTQ older adults (N=2,450). The correlation between these constructs varied between 0.36 to 0.63, which shows that despite considerable overlap they are measuring distinct aspects of bias experiences. Each of the constructs had a significant association with depression, general health and quality of life. When the four constructs were entered into a regression model, everyday discrimination (due to sexual and gender identity and other factors) emerged as the strongest predictor.

scholarly journals Objective and Subjective Cognitive Function, and Relations With Quality of Life and Psychological Distress

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 306-307
Author(s):  
Hallie Nuzum ◽  
Katherine Dorociak ◽  
Shirit Kamil-Rosenberg ◽  
Peter Louras ◽  
Mandana Mostofi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function

Abstract Objective and subjective cognitive function have been associated with decreased quality of life and increased psychological distress in older adults. The present study examined relations of objective and subjective cognition with quality-of-life and mental-health outcomes in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The sample included 98 older adults with aMCI (92.5% male, age = 70.9±9.2 years). Measures included objective cognition (i.e., attention, memory, language, visuospatial abilities, processing speed, executive function, and overall), subjective memory (Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire [MMQ]), quality of life (Dementia Quality of Life [DQoL]), and mental health (Geriatric Depression Scale, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and Penn State Worry Questionnaire). Objective and subjective cognition were weakly correlated (range |r| = .00–.23). Objective cognitive measures were largely uncorrelated with quality of life or mental health, with only two significant (p < .05) correlations between Processing Speed and Worry (r = -.24), and Overall Cognition and DQoL Aesthetics (r = .20). Subjective cognition was more strongly correlated with quality of life, including significant (p < .01) correlations between MMQ Abilities and DQoL Negative Affect (r = -.38), and MMQ Contentment and DQoL Positive Affect (r = .28). Additionally, MMQ Contentment and Abilities were significantly (p < .01) negatively correlated with all three mental-health outcomes (range |r| = .28–.43). This study demonstrated that subjective memory, particularly affect and self-appraisal regarding one’s memory capabilities, is more closely related to quality-of-life and mental-health outcomes than objective cognitive performance in an aMCI sample, and, therefore, may represent important targets for intervention.

scholarly journals Cumulative effect of loneliness and social isolation on health outcomes among older adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Timothy L. Barnes ◽  
Stephanie MacLeod ◽  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
Manik Ahuja ◽  
Laurie Albright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Cumulative Effect

scholarly journals Social Isolation in Older Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The impact on Quality of Life and Mental health

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 745-745
Author(s):  
Victoria Marshall ◽  
Robina Sandhu ◽  
Kathryn Kanzler ◽  
Sara Espinoza ◽  
Pamela Keel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Impact

Abstract To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide enacted quarantines, particularly for older adults, as mortality from COVID-19 is inequitably distributed among this group. Notably, social isolation in older adults is associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular, autoimmune, and mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety). Furthermore, the mental health of women in particular has been greatly impacted by the pandemic. Although previous research indicates that social isolation among older adults is a “serious public health concern”, less is known about the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue. The primary objective is to investigate the effects of social isolation on mental health indices and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older women in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants include 77 postmenopausal women (aged 60+) who completed self-report measures online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Controlling for education and annual household income in all analyses, we used linear regression models to investigate the effects of social isolation on depression, anxiety, alcohol use, binge eating, and the 8 domains of the SF-36. Results indicate that, when controlling for education and income, social isolation significantly predicted depression, binge eating, and poorer HRQOL in all 8 domains of the SF-36 (all p’s < .01) Social isolation did not predict anxiety and alcohol consumption when controlling for these sociodemographic variables. Enrollment is ongoing; this poster will report updated results. Results indicate the continued need for creative avenues to improve social connectedness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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