scholarly journals Impacts of the Pandemic on Older Adults’ Social Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 950-950
Author(s):  
Stephanie MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Early Research ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Virus Exposure ◽  
Key Terms

Abstract The risk of COVID-19 exposure and likelihood of severe illness have been critical concerns among older adults during the pandemic. Meanwhile, social distancing has worsened social isolation, with severe impacts on connectedness among seniors. Effects of the pandemic may lead to an extended crisis, with impacts on health outcomes. Our primary purpose was to summarize emerging research describing impacts of the pandemic on social isolation and related health outcomes among older adults. A streamlined search was conducted to fit the scope of this review, with key terms determined to identify relevant publications. Common research databases and mainstream resources were utilized. We focused on research published or released since the start of 2020, primarily rapidly reviewed studies, to align with the timing of the pandemic. Early research suggests that the pandemic has worsened social isolation among older adults. Social isolation is now more urgent, as many seniors lost their usual connections due to social distancing. While these measures help to prevent virus exposure, this approach must be balanced with maintaining social connectedness. Thus, a “COVID-19 paradox” has emerged: safety protocols protect older adults but concurrently place them at risk of social isolation. Adapted approaches are urgently needed to safely address the consequences of a potential long-term social recession.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Era Social Isolation among Older Adults

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Stephanie MacLeod ◽  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
Sandra Kraemer ◽  
Annette Fellows ◽  
Michael McGinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Nursing Facilities ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Virus Exposure

Risk of COVID-19 exposure and more severe illness are serious concerns for older adults. Social distancing has worsened existing social isolation, with severe impacts on connectedness among seniors. The pandemic is threatening to cause an extended health crisis, with impacts including serious health consequences. Our primary purpose is to summarize emerging research describing the impacts of the pandemic on social isolation among older adults. A streamlined search was conducted to fit the scope of this literature review. Common research databases and mainstream resources and websites were utilized to identify research published or released in 2020 to align with the pandemic. Early research indicates that the pandemic has worsened social isolation among older adults. Social isolation has become urgent, as seniors have lost their usual connections due to social distancing. While safety measures are critical to prevent virus exposure, this approach must be balanced with maintaining social connectedness. The pandemic highlights the importance of social connections, with significant impacts on both community-living older adults and those in nursing facilities. Safety protocols have created a paradox of reduced risk along with greater harm. Consequently, adapted approaches are urgently needed to address the consequences of a long-term social recession.

scholarly journals Social Distancing vs Social Interaction for Older Adults at Long-Term Care Facilities in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review and Synthesis of Action Plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110442
Author(s):  
Farhana Ferdous
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Care Facilities

The present study aimed to systematically analyze the impact of COVID-19-related social distancing requirements on older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and to synthesize the literature into thematic action plans to minimize the adverse effects of social isolation. The search included articles published between December 2019 and August 2020 across four databases. The inclusion criteria were used to screen for studies that reported on social isolation and loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults living in LTCFs. This rapid review identified 29 relevant studies and synthesized them into four thematic action plans: technological advancement, remote communication, therapeutic care/stress management, and preventive measures. These thematic action plans and cost-effective strategies can be immediately adopted and used as a resource for all LTCF administrators, healthcare design professionals, and researchers in battling current COVID-19-related issues, and improving social interaction in older adults living in care facilities.

scholarly journals Frailty as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Social Isolation and Health Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Mehrabi ◽  
François Béland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This research investigated the effects of social isolation on frailty and health outcomes and tested whether these associations varied across different levels of frailty. We performed a multivariate analysis of data from the first wave of the FRéLE study among 1,643 Canadian older adults aged 65 years and over. We assessed social isolation using social participation, social networks, and support from various social ties, namely, friends, children, extended family, and partner. Frailty predicted disability, comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Less social participation was associated with IADLs, depression, and cognitive decline. The absence of friends was associated with depression and cognitive impairment. Less social support from children and partner was related to comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Overall, social isolation is linked to mental health, rather than physical health. The associations of having no siblings, receiving less support from friends, and participating less in social activities with ADL limitations, depression, and cognitive decline were higher among frail than pre-frail and robust older adults. This study corroborates the pivotal role of social connectedness, particularly the quality of relationships, on the mental health of older adults. Public health policies on social relationships are paramount to ameliorate the health status of frail older adults.

Status Quo or Drop-Off: Do Older Adults Maintain Benefits From Choose to Move—A Scaled-Up Physical Activity Program—12 Months After Withdrawing From the Intervention?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Heather A. McKay ◽  
Lindsay Nettlefold ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Heather M. Macdonald ◽  
Karim M. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
Baseline Values

Background: Choose to Move is one of few scaled-up health-promoting interventions for older adults. The authors evaluated whether Choose to Move participants maintained their intervention-related gains in physical activity (PA), mobility, and social connectedness 12 months after the intervention ended. Methods: The authors assessed PA, mobility, loneliness, social isolation, and muscle strength via questionnaire and objective measures in 235 older adults at 0 months (baseline), 6 months (end of intervention), and 18 months (12-months postintervention). The authors fitted linear mixed models to examine the change in each outcome from 6 to 18 months (primary objective) and 0 to 18 months (secondary objective) and reported by age group (60–74 and ≥75 y). Results: In younger participants, PA decreased between 6 and 18 months, but remained significantly higher than at baseline. Intervention-related benefits in loneliness, social isolation, mobility, and muscle strength were maintained between 6 and 18 months in the younger participants. Older participants maintained their intervention benefits in loneliness, mobility, and muscle strength. When compared with baseline values, PA levels in older participants were unchanged, whereas social isolation increased. Conclusions: Older adults maintained some, but not all, health benefits of Choose to Move 12 months after the intervention ended. Long-term commitments are needed to deliver effective health-promoting interventions for older adults if benefits are to be maintained.

scholarly journals Frailty as a Moderator of the Relationship between Social Isolation and Health Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1675
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Mehrabi ◽  
François Béland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This research investigated the effects of social isolation on frailty and health outcomes and tested whether these associations varied across different levels of frailty. We performed a multivariate analysis of the first wave of Frailty: A longitudinal study of its expressions (FRéLE) among 1643 Canadian older adults aged 65 years and over. We assessed social isolation using social participation, social networks, and support from various social ties, namely, friends, children, extended family, and partner. Frailty was associated with disability, comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Less social participation was associated with limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), depression, and cognitive decline. The absence of friends was associated with depression and cognitive impairment. Less social support from children and partner was related to comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Overall, social isolation is linked to mental health rather than physical health. The associations of having no siblings, receiving less support from friends, and participating less in social activities with ADL limitations, depression, and cognitive decline were higher among frail than prefrail and robust older adults. This study corroborates the pivotal role of social connectedness, particularly the quality of relationships, on the mental health of older adults. Public health policies on social relationships are paramount to ameliorate the health status of frail older adults.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Social Isolation Endangering Psychological Health of Older Adults: Implications for Telepsychiatry

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Targeted Interventions

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has created a public health emergency and had claimed 911,877 lives at the time of writing this manuscript (September 12, 2020). While everybody is at the risk of acquiring infection following the exposure to SARS-CoV-2, older adults are significantly more likely to experience severe illness, life-threatening complications, hospitalizations, and deaths. As the pandemic evolved, social distancing or shielding efforts as primary prevention were instituted to protect the physical health status of the vulnerable population, with no or limited consideration to the psychological health of the older population. Social isolation and loneliness are the long-standing public health concerns among older adults, which appear to be exacerbating amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the pre-existing risk of late-life psychiatric disorders among older individuals, it is critical to determine challenges posed by COVID-19 and associated social distancing protocols as it relates to the psychosocial well-being of the aging population. Such information is imperative to design targeted interventions to fulfill the unmet needs of the older population. Therefore, this review endeavors to identify the healthcare and emotional needs of the aging population during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of psychological health and social capital. Additionally, this review also identifies the barriers in the uptake of telepsychiatry and highlights the need for promoting remote counseling services among older people to promote their psychosocial well-being.

scholarly journals Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Social Isolation on Health Outcomes among Older People in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Zhixin Feng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Short Term

Abstract Background Social isolation and loneliness are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of older adults globally. However, it is uncertain whether their health effects are short-term or long-term, which impedes the developing of more effective and precising interventions. We therefore assessed the varied health effects of short-term and long-term exposure of social isolation and loneliness among a nationwide sample of older adults from China. Methods We assessed social isolation and loneliness in 6,066 men and women aged 65 and older who took part in both 2011 and 2014 waves of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Social isolation was assessed in terms of absence of key family members, including spouse, children or siblings, and a deficiency in participating in social activities. Loneliness was administered by using a questionnaire. Four health outcomes were investigated: self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADLs), Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and cognitive function measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We used different tests and multivariate regression analyses to examine the short-term (< 3 years) and long-term (>= 3 years) effects of social isolation and loneliness on health outcomes.Results After controlling for covariates of demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and baseline health factors, in the short-term effects, there are significant associations found between absence of children and poor SRH and cognitive impairment (ORs=1.53 and 9.87); absence of siblings and poor SRH, cognitive impairment, and difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=1.29, 1.35, 1.26 and 1.22 respectively); loneliness and poor SRH and difficulties with IADLs (ORs=1.92 and 1.55). While, in the long-term effects, absence of siblings is marginally significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR=1.21), but significant associations are found between deficiency in participating in social activities and poor SRH, difficulty with ADLs and IADLs (ORs=1.33, 1.55 and 1.69, respectively); loneliness and poor SRH, difficulty with IADLs and less difficulties in ADLs (ORs=2.96, 2.45 and 0.32, respectively).Conclusions The results of this study show that social isolation at family level mainly have short-term effects, while social isolation at societal level have mainly have long-term, and loneliness has both short-term and long-term effects on older people’s health outcomes.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Enjoyment of Exercise Video Games in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara A. Freed ◽  
Briana N. Sprague ◽  
Abigail T. Stephan ◽  
Cassidy E. Doyle ◽  
Junyan Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Healthy Community ◽  
Future Work

Introduction: Several interventions have been developed to enhance social connectedness among older adults. However, little research has demonstrated their performance in a social distancing environment. Exergames are not only beneficial to older adults' physical and cognitive health, but they also allow players to interact with each other at a distance, which can reduce loneliness and increase social connection. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate older adults' perceptions of two commercially available exergames.Methods: Twenty healthy community-dwelling older adults (M age = 73.30, SD = 5.95, range = 65–84 years, 80% women) were recruited in this pilot study between July 2019 and February 2020. They were asked to play two exergames for 10 min each on the Xbox One with Kinect console: Just Dance and Kinect Sports Rivals. After gameplay, they provided both quantitative and qualitative feedback on these games.Results: Participants reported an average rating for exergame enjoyment. Greater enjoyment was significantly related with younger age and greater extraversion but not gender. Participants were highly motivated to do well on the games but reported lower scores for likelihood of playing these games in the future. Greater likelihood of future play was associated with younger age but not gender or extraversion. “Not aerobic or strengthen enough; not enough exertion,” and “slower movements, repetition, clear purpose of doing the exercise” were some factors that would influence their decision to buy and play these games.Discussion: The preliminary results of this pilot study suggest that exergames may help address social isolation and loneliness—particularly during times of social distancing. Before applying exergames as a social isolation or loneliness intervention for older adults, study replication in larger representative studies and future work that examines important design issues related to older adults' experiences with these games is needed.

scholarly journals Technologies and the Effects On Social Engagement In Long-Term Care Facilities During COVID-19: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 886-886
Author(s):  
Timothy Wood ◽  
Shannon Freeman ◽  
Alanna Koopmans
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Policy Decisions ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, the sense of loneliness and social isolation felt by older adults in long-term care facilities has been exacerbated. Although there has been an increase in the number of digital solutions to mitigate social isolation during COVID-19, facilities in northern British Columbia do not have sufficient information regarding the technologies to support social connectedness. To support evidence-based policy decisions, a scoping review was conducted to identify existing virtual technology solutions, apps, and platforms that promote social connectedness among older adults residing in long-term care. A combination of keywords and subject headings were used to identify relevant literature within PubMed, CINAHL EBSCO, PsychINFO EBSCO, Embase OVIDSP, and Web of Science ISI databases. DistillerSR was used to screen and summarize the article selection process. Twenty-three articles were identified for full-text analysis. A variety of technologies are described which can be used to mitigate the impacts of social isolation felt by long-term care residents. However, many of these digital solutions require stable highspeed internet. This remains a challenge for facilities in northern areas as many have limited access to reliable internet. Metrics used to evaluate social engagement in the context of long-term care are also outlined. This research provides the preliminary groundwork necessary to better inform policy decisions about which technologies are available and, of these, which are effective at enhancing social connectedness for older adults in long-term care.

scholarly journals Aging in Place: Social Connectedness and the Health of Older Subsidized Housing Residents

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 135-135
Author(s):  
Thomas Cudjoe ◽  
Judith Gonyea ◽  
Robyn Stone
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Subsidized Housing ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Social Connection

Abstract Findings on the prevalence and impacts of loneliness and social isolation on the lives of older adults have led to the lack of social connectedness being viewed as a major public health issue. Although an understudied population, emerging evidence suggests that for the nearly 3 million older low-income adults living in subsidized housing the impacts of lack of social connection may be especially profound. From a life course perspective, “cumulative economic disadvantage,” if combined with a “cumulative connectedness disadvantage,” may heighten exposure to health risk factors and negative health outcomes. Addressing social risk factors in this population thus may have the potential to reduce health disparities as well as improve quality of life. Decades of epidemiologic evidence suggest that social isolation is a key factor in disparate outcomes. Evidence-based interventions are needed to improve aging in place for this population, but little is known about the individual or contextual factors that influence social connectedness and health among this high-risk population of older adults. This symposium includes interdisciplinary perspectives and methods as well as present results from four studies that examine 1) perspectives on aging in place in subsidized housing, 2) relationship between social connection and food insecurity 3) relationship between social isolation and healthcare utilization and 4) between resident ties and links to health outcomes. Papers in this symposium will highlight the implications of study findings for informing future interventions to improve aging in place for older adults living in subsidized housing.

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