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Tackling loneliness evidence review
- Authors:
- QUALTER Pamela, et al
- Publisher:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 31
- Place of publication:
- London
This report aims to establish the evidence gaps in the field of loneliness, including those related to interventions; examine what existing evidence can be built on and what needs to be developed from first principles; determine which evidence gaps should be prioritised; and establish which pre-existing quantitative datasets could be used to address the prioritised evidence gaps, and identify which prospective cohort studies would be enhanced by inclusion of a measure of loneliness. As well as continuing to improve measurement, the review has identified eight priority areas: life course approach – looking at how loneliness changes over people’s lives; social stigma; societal culture – the impact of a collectivist vs individualistic society; mental health; place and context; workplace; economic evaluation; effectiveness of loneliness interventions. The number of studies examining interventions for loneliness has increased significantly in recent years and is diverse in terms of participant groups and intervention types, although most are for older people and western countries for groups or individuals. There are some school and community-based interventions with broad target groups. Social support and social network intervention strategies are most used because they are group face to face interventions, although digital is increasing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring how to develop effective services to reduce loneliness
- Authors:
- TWYFORD Katey, WIGFIELD Andrea
- Publisher:
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- London
Housing with care schemes are well placed to reduce loneliness and social isolation in older people. This Viewpoint looks briefly at learning from research and highlights best practice in developing effective services to reduce loneliness, both in and outside housing schemes. It provides six top tips for setting up new services, taken from the Time to Shine programme in Leeds. These six tips cover: thinking about who you want to help, considering what you plan to offer, using appropriate marketing and language, capturing your learning, allowing sufficient time to set up and establish the project, and evaluating and celebrating success. (Edited publisher abstract)
The heterogeneity of socially isolated older adults: a social isolation typology
- Author:
- MACHIELSE Anja
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(4), 2015, pp.338-356.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Recent statistics show a growing number of older adults who are living alone and are socially isolated. It is against this background that, in recent years, many interventions have been developed to address social isolation among the elderly. Evaluative studies show that most interventions are hardly effective, though. An important reason for this is the heterogeneity of the socially isolated. This article offers insight into this heterogeneity by presenting a typology with different profiles of socially isolated older adults and the intervention implications of this typology. The typology is derived from an extensive qualitative study on socially isolated elderly individuals in the Netherlands. The typology imposes some degree of order to a diversity of circumstances, ambitions, and possibilities of the socially isolated elderly, thereby deepening the understanding of the heterogeneity of this population. The definition of social isolation used in this study starts from a societal angle of incidence, namely the current policy context of Western European welfare states, in which governments emphasize the importance of independence and self-reliance of their citizens. Developed from that perspective, the typology provides a theoretical basis for applying interventions aimed at increasing self-reliance of social isolated elderly. This perspective on social isolation also has consequences for the way in which the effectiveness of interventions to alleviate social isolation is assessed. (Publisher abstract)
Interventions against social isolation of older adults: a systematic review of existing literature and interventions
- Authors:
- MANJUNATH Jaya, MANOJ Nandita, ALCHALABI Tania
- Journal article citation:
- Geriatrics, 6(3), 2021,
- Publisher:
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Social isolation is widespread among older adults, especially those confined to living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. This study completed a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of 20 interventions used to combat social isolation in older adults. A scoring mechanism based on the Joanna Briggs Appraisal Checklist was utilized to determine the quality of the studies. Searches were conducted in “MedLine”, “PubMed”, “PsycINFO” and “Aging and Mental Health”. Studies completed on group and person-centered interventions against social isolation were the highest quality as the social isolation experienced by older adults decreased after the intervention, and this effect continued in follow-up studies. Other interventions such as volunteering-based interventions also alleviated isolation; however, follow-up studies were not completed to determine long-term efficacy. Given the increase in social isolation faced by older persons during the pandemic, our review can be utilized to create effective interventions to reduce social isolation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Loneliness and social isolation interventions for older adults: a scoping review of reviews
- Authors:
- FAKOYA Olujoke A., MCCORRY Noleen K., DONNELLY Michael
- Journal article citation:
- BMC Public Health, 20(129), 2020, Online only
- Publisher:
- BioMed Central Ltd
Background: Loneliness and social isolation are growing public health concerns in our ageing society. Whilst these experiences occur across the life span, 50% of individuals aged over 60 are at risk of social isolation and one-third will experience some degree of loneliness later in life. The aim of this scoping review was to describe the range of interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation among older adults that have been evaluated; in terms of intervention conceptualisation, categorisation, and components. Methods: Three electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase and Medline) were systematically searched for relevant published reviews of interventions for loneliness and social isolation. Inclusion criteria were: review of any type, published in English, a target population of older people and reported data on the categorisation of loneliness and/or social isolation interventions. Data extracted included: categories of interventions and the reasoning underpinning this categorisation. The methodology framework proposed by Arskey and O’Malley and further developed by Levac, et al. was used to guide the scoping review process. Results: A total of 33 reviews met the inclusion criteria, evaluating a range of interventions targeted at older people residing in the community or institutionalised settings. Authors of reviews included in this paper often used the same terms to categorise different intervention components and many did not provide a clear definition of these terms. There were inconsistent meanings attributed to intervention characteristics. Overall, interventions were commonly categorised on the basis of: 1) group or one-to-one delivery mode, 2) the goal of the intervention, and 3) the intervention type. Several authors replicated the categorisation system used in previous reviews. Conclusion: Many interventions have been developed to combat loneliness and social isolation among older people. The individuality of the experience of loneliness and isolation may cause difficulty in the delivery of standardised interventions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing loneliness or social isolation, and hence the need to tailor interventions to suit the needs of individuals, specific groups or the degree of loneliness experienced. Therefore, future research should be aimed at discerning what intervention works for whom, in what particular context and how. (Edited publisher abstract)
Reconnections Social Impact Bond: reducing loneliness in Worcestershire. An in-depth review produced as part of the Commissioning Better Outcomes evaluation
- Authors:
- ECORYS UK, ATQ CONSULTANTS
- Publishers:
- Ecorys UK, ATQ Consultants
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 14
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
An in-depth review of the Reconnections Social Impact Bond (SIB), which aims to directly reduce loneliness and isolation for 3,000 people over the age of 50 in Worcestershire. The SIB facilitates access to services to reconnect these individuals with their communities. The project began in May 2015 and the first outcome payments were originally planned for March 2016 with the final outcome payment schedule in mid-2019. The improved health and wellbeing of beneficiaries is expected to deliver more than £3 million worth of savings to the public sector over 15 years. The maximum amount of outcome payments attached to the SIB is £2 million based around a key payment outcome of an improvement in levels of loneliness. Key lessons from the planning and implementation phases are outlined and include: consult with possible providers/ intermediaries early on; setting up a SIB is resource intensive; development costs can be high; invest in strong research early on to engage with the Commissioners; and SIBs are a positive way of testing interventions. (Edited publisher abstract)
How POPP pilots are proving their worth
- Author:
- NORRIS Rebecca
- Journal article citation:
- Commissioning News, 10, December 2008, pp.10-11.
- Publisher:
- CJ Wellings Ltd
Camden is one of 29 Partnerships for Older People (POPP) pilot sites which have received government money to test out 245 projects to improve care of older people. This article looks at progress in Camden, the types of projects they are running under the 'Community Interventions for Older People with Mental Health Needs' and the early findings from the national evaluation.
Tackling loneliness and social isolation: the role of commissioners
- Authors:
- HOLMES Pamela, THOMSON Lousia
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 6
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing explores the opportunities and barriers faced by commissioners seeking to address loneliness and social isolation in older people. It identifies evidence that points the way to a better understanding of effective interventions to tackle loneliness and social isolation, provides examples of emerging practice across the country, and examines what needs to happen next to improve the commissioning environment, and the changes that need to happen in other parts of society. It draws on discussions from a seminar organised by SCIE and Renaisi attended by commissioners, local authorities and third sector representatives, as well as the findings from previous research and evaluation. (Edited publisher abstract)
Preventing loneliness and social isolation among older people
- Authors:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE, CONTACT THE ELDERLY
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This At a glance briefing explains the importance of tackling social isolation and loneliness, particularly among older people. It highlights the adverse effects of feeling isolated and describes a number of services that have been found to help reduce the problem. It draws on research evidence from SCIE's 'Research briefing 39: preventing loneliness and isolation: interventions and outcomes'. It also includes case study examples of two services - a befriending scheme and social group - that help to help mitigate loneliness and isolation and improve the wellbeing of older people.
Meals on Wheels Central Texas: addressing loneliness and isolation through client-volunteer interaction
- Authors:
- BONAGURIO Christine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 26(1), 2022, pp.8-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Meals on Wheel Central Texas (MOWCTX) provides meals to more than 5,000 home-bound older adults in the Austin area every weekday. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of client-volunteer interactions to assess the social benefits clients receive and ascertain if and how loneliness and social isolation are addressed. Design/methodology/approach: Observations of volunteer-client interactions, interviews with clients and surveys of clients were conducted to gain insight into clients’ experiences with MOWCTX services. Findings: Qualitative analysis of observation and interview data revealed four non-tangible benefits clients received from MOWCTX: reduced physical risks when mobility issues are present, a daily safety check, opportunities for social contact and increased ability to maintain independence. Survey results supported these conclusions. Originality/value: This research examines the impact of volunteer-client relationships on the experience of loneliness and social isolation. (Edited publisher abstract)