SOCIAL ISOLATION AND OLDER ADULTS: UNDERSTANDING THEIR EXPERIENCE

Abstract This presentation will focus on a unique undertaking where three provincial organizations in Saskatchewan, Canada implemented nine projects to address social isolation for rural and urban older adults across a geography that encompasses one-half of the province. A survey of older adults was conducted to assess their level of social isolation in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the experiences of social isolation among community dwelling older adults. Key variables of interest included: older adult access to services and supports, participation in activities, feelings of being valued by others, barriers to supports and services, and the overall isolation experienced by older adults. The responses from 1,719 urban and rural older adults indicate that 24.1% of respondents felt that they lack support, 17.2% feel less connected to family and friends, and 16.8% of respondents do not feel valued by their friends and family. Overall, almost one-quarter (23.9%) of the survey respondents score ‘high’ or ‘medium’ on a Social Isolation Index. One-third of respondents report they experience barriers to participation in activities outside the home. Several key categories of barriers were identified: health, personal, environmental, social, transportation and systemic. Respondents identified accommodation, services, practices, and activities as areas where their community could assist in participation of community activities outside of the home. Social isolation can have serious health consequences for older adults. The results of this survey highlight several key areas that older adults identify as important for reducing their feelings of isolation and enhancing their overall health and well-being.

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The Effects of Technological Interventions on Social Participation of Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Dementia: A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112308 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2308

Author(s):

Pascale Heins ◽

Lizzy M. M. Boots ◽

Wei Qi Koh ◽

An Neven ◽

Frans R. J. Verhey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Social Participation ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Technological Interventions ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Social isolation in community-dwelling older adults with dementia is a growing health issue that can negatively affect health and well-being. To date, little attention has been paid to the role of technology in improving their social participation. This systematic review aims to provide a systematic overview of the effects of technological interventions that target social participation in community-dwelling older adults with and without dementia. The scientific databases Medline (PubMed), PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched and independently screened by two reviewers. Results were synthesized narratively. The methodological quality of included studies was independently assessed by two reviewers. In total, 36 studies of varying methodological quality were identified. Most studies evaluated social networking technology and ICT training programs. Three studies focused on people with dementia. Quantitative findings showed limited effects on loneliness, social isolation, and social support. Nevertheless, several benefits related to social participation were reported qualitatively. Social interaction, face-to-face contact, and intergenerational engagement were suggested to be successful elements of technological interventions in improving the social participation of community-dwelling older adults. Rigorous studies with larger sample sizes are highly needed to evaluate the long-term effects of technology on the multidimensional concept of social participation.

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Predictors of Social Isolation Among Community-dwelling Older Adults in Iran

Salmand ◽

10.32598/sija.16.2.1294.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 188-201

Author(s):

Elaheh Taghvaei ◽

◽

Seyedeh Ameneh Motalebi ◽

Maryam Mafi ◽

Mohammad Ali Soleimani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

World Health ◽

Health Organization ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Social isolation can lead to depression, reduced life expectancy, and increased death anxiety among older adults. The present study aims to determine the predictors of social isolation in community-dwelling older adults residing in Qazvin, Iran. Methods & Materials: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 301 older adults in 2019 who were selected using a cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic/clinical checklist, Lubben Social Network Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, and Pargament’s Religious Coping Questionnaire, which were completed through face to face interview. The collected data were analyzed using multivariable regression analysis. Results: The Mean±SD age of participants was 68.63±7.31 years. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the significant predictors of social isolation were social support (β=0.333, P<0.001), disability (β=-0.137, P=0.018), and living with spouse (β=0.154, P=0.010). The social isolation was reduced by increasing social support, decreasing disability, and living with spouse. Conclusion: Given the role of social support and disability in predicting social isolation in the elderly, it seems that one of the effective factors in reducing social isolation especially in the disable older adults is establishing or strengthening supportive social networks.

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COVID-19 lockdown has altered the dynamics between affective symptoms and social isolation among older adults: results from a longitudinal network analysis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94301-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Junhong Yu ◽

Rathi Mahendran

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Network Analyses ◽

Correlation Networks ◽

Affective Symptoms ◽

Tightly Coupled ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractThe COVID-19 lockdown has drastically limited social interactions and brought about a climate of fear and uncertainty. These circumstances not only increased affective symptoms and social isolation among community dwelling older adults but also alter the dynamics between them. Using network analyses, we study the changes in these dynamics before and during the lockdown. Community-dwelling older adults (N = 419) completed questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, and social isolation, before the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a cohort study, and during the lockdown period. The total scores of these questionnaires were compared across time. For the network analyses, partial correlation networks were constructed using items in the questionnaires as nodes, separately at both timepoints. Changes in edges, as well as nodal and bridge centrality were examined across time. Depression and anxiety symptoms, and social isolation had significantly increased during the lockdown. Significant changes were observed across time on several edges. Greater connectivity between the affective and social isolation nodes at lockdown was observed. Depression symptoms have become more tightly coupled across individuals, and so were the anxiety symptoms. Depression symptoms have also become slightly decoupled from those of anxiety. These changing network dynamics reflect the greater influence of social isolation on affective symptoms across individuals and an increased vulnerability to affective disorders. These findings provide novel perspectives and translational implications on the changing mental health context amidst a COVID-19 pandemic situation.

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Increasing Older Adult Involvement in Geriatric Assessment: A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264321993321 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089826432199332

Author(s):

Wanda Rietkerk ◽

Jannet de Jonge-de Haan ◽

Joris P. J. Slaets ◽

Sytse U. Zuidema ◽

Debby L. Gerritsen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Older Adult ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Geriatric Assessment ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Implementation Processes ◽

Adult Involvement ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Goal setting and motivational interviewing (MI) may increase well-being by promoting healthy behavior. Since we failed to show improved well-being in a proactive assessment service for community-dwelling older adults applying these techniques, we studied whether implementation processes could explain this. Methods: Goals set during the comprehensive geriatric assessment were evaluated on their potential for behavior change. MI and goal setting adherence wasassessed by reviewing audiotaped interactions and interviewing care professionals. Results: Among the 280 goals set with 230 frail older adults (mean age 77 ± 6.9 years, 59% women), more than 90% had a low potential for behavior change. Quality thresholds for MI were reached in only one of the 11 interactions. Application was hindered by the context and the limited proficiency of care professionals. Discussion: Implementation was suboptimal for goal setting and MI. This decreased the potential for improved well-being in the participating older adults.

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Cognitive Outcomes during COVID-19 confiNemeNt in Elderly and their Caregivers using Technologies for DEMentia (CONNECT DEM): study protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26431 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Marian Goodman-Casanova ◽

Elena Dura-Perez ◽

Gloria Guerrero-Pertiñez ◽

Pilar Barnestein-Fonseca ◽

Jose Guzman-Parra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Mild Dementia ◽

Care Services ◽

Health And Social Care ◽

The Impact ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 has forced worldwide the implementation of unprecedented restrictions to control its rapid spread and mitigate its impact. The Spanish government has enforced social distancing, quarantine and home confinement. This restriction of daily life activities and separation from loved ones may lead to social isolation and loneliness with health-related consequences in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and their caregivers. Additionally, an inadequate access to healthcare and social support services may aggravate chronic conditions. Technology home-based interventions emerge for combating social isolation and loneliness preventing the risk of viral exposure. OBJECTIVE The aim of this cohort study is to explore, analyze and determine the impact of social isolation on: 1) cognition, quality of life, mood, technophilia and perceived stress of community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, and on caregiver burden; 2) health and social care services access and utilization, and 3) cognitive, social and entertainment use of ICTs. METHODS This study will be conducted in the Spanish region of Andalucía (Málaga). In total 200 dyads, consisting of a person with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia (PMCI/MD) and their informal caregiver will be contacted by telephone. Potential respondents will be participants of the SMART 4 MD (N=100) and TV-AssistDem (N=100) clinical trials. RESULTS The change in means in the variables will be analyzed comparing baseline results in the previous studies with those during and after confinement using the ANOVA test of repeated measures or the non-parametric Friedman test if appropriate. The performance of a multivariate analysis of variance (ANCOVA) to introduce possible covariates will also be contemplated. A 95% confidence level will be used. CONCLUSIONS If the hypothesis is proven, these findings will demonstrate the negative impact of social isolation due to the COVID-19 confinement on cognition, quality of life, mood, and perceived stress of community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia, the impact on technophilia, caregiver burden, and health and social care services access and utilization; and the cognitive, social and entertainment use of ICTs during the COVID-19 confinement and afterwards. CLINICALTRIAL NCT: 04385797

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Associations of objective versus subjective social isolation with sleep disturbance, depression, and fatigue in community-dwelling older adults

Aging & Mental Health ◽

10.1080/13607863.2018.1481928 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (9) ◽

pp. 1130-1138 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Joshua Hyong-Jin Cho ◽

Richard Olmstead ◽

Hanbyul Choi ◽

Carmen Carrillo ◽

Teresa E. Seeman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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PROJECT SOAR: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ITS EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnw162.1521 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 56 (Suppl_3) ◽

pp. 377-378

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Community Engagement ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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The Influence of Social Isolation on the Preventive Behaviors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17238985 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 8985

Author(s):

Yuko Yamaguchi ◽

Masako Yamada ◽

Elsi Dwi Hapsari ◽

Hiroya Matsuo

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Social Participation ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

This study aimed to examine the relationship between one’s physical status related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and social isolation, and to identify lifestyle behaviors for the prevention of NCDs associated with social isolation among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate lifestyle behaviors for NCD prevention associated with social isolation in Japanese adults aged 60 years and above in a community setting. Out of 57 participants, 17.5% were not socially participative, 66.7% hardly ever, 29.8% sometimes, and 3.5% often felt loneliness. Non-social participation and loneliness were negatively related to the frequency of vegetable and fruit intake. Additionally, loneliness was positively associated with one’s duration of smoking and current smoking habits, and negatively associated with the frequency of moderate-intensity activities, with marginal significance. Those with non-social participation or loneliness were less likely to eat a healthy diet and live a smoke-free lifestyle. The findings of this study suggest that a mutual health support system in the community and the development of community-based approaches for the prevention of NCDs among Japanese older adults are needed.

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