Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Health and wellbeing consequences of social isolation and loneliness in old age
- Authors:
- COURTIN Emilie, KNAPP Martin
- Publisher:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 3
- Place of publication:
- London
Summarises the findings of a scoping review which looked at literature on the impact of social isolation and loneliness on physical health, mental health and wellbeing in old age. Searches were conducted on nine databases, retrieving 11,736 articles, of which 128 were included in the scoping review. Almost all the studies reviewed found that isolation and loneliness has a detrimental effect on health. Depression and cardiovascular health were the most often researched outcomes, followed by well-being. Gaps in the evidence base were identified in both the use of health and social care by older people and on interventions to reduce loneliness and isolation. A lack of consistency in the definitions and measures of isolation and loneliness was also found, which limits the ability to compare findings between studies. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social isolation, loneliness and health in old age: a scoping review
- Authors:
- COURTIN Emilie, KNAPP Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(3), 2017, pp.799-812.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The health and well-being consequences of social isolation and loneliness in old age are increasingly being recognised. The purpose of this scoping review was to take stock of the available evidence and to highlight gaps and areas for future research. Searches were carried out on nine databases for empirical papers investigating the impact of social isolation and/or loneliness on a range of health outcomes in old age. The search, conducted between July and September 2013 yielded 11,736 articles, of which 128 items from 15 countries were included in the scoping review. Papers were reviewed, with a focus on the definitions and measurements of the two concepts, associations and causal mechanisms, differences across population groups and interventions. The evidence is largely US-focused, and loneliness is more researched than social isolation. A recent trend is the investigation of the comparative effects of social isolation and loneliness. Depression and cardiovascular health are the most often researched outcomes, followed by well-being. Almost all (but two) studies found a detrimental effect of isolation or loneliness on health. However, causal links and mechanisms are difficult to demonstrate, and further investigation is warranted. The review found a paucity of research focusing on at-risk sub-groups and in the area of interventions. Future research should aim to better link the evidence on the risk factors for loneliness and social isolation and the evidence on their impact on health. (Edited publisher abstract)
Dementia care costs and outcomes: literature review
- Authors:
- KNAPP Martin, ROMEO Renee, LEMMI Valentina
- Publisher:
- Alzheimer's Society
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 31p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This study reviewed evidence on the cost-effectiveness of prevention, care and treatment strategies in relation to dementia. A systematic review was performed on available literature on economic evaluations of dementia care, searching key databases and websites in medicine, social care and economics. Literature reviews were privileged, and other study designs were included only to fill gaps in the evidence base. Fifty six literature reviews and 29 single studies offering economic evidence on dementia care were identified. There was more cost-effectiveness evidence on pharmacological therapies than other interventions. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for mild-to-moderate disease and memantine for moderate-to-severe disease were found to be cost-effective. Regarding non-pharmacological treatments, cognitive stimulation therapy, tailored activity programme and occupational therapy were found to be more cost-effective than usual care. There was some evidence to suggest that respite care in day settings and psychosocial interventions for carers could be cost-effective. Coordinated care management and personal budgets held by carers have also demonstrated cost-effectiveness in some studies.