Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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COVID‐19 in the geriatric population
- Authors:
- ROY Justin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, early cite 3 August 2020,
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: The global COVID‐19 pandemic has caused rapid and monumental changes around the world. Older people, who already experience higher rates of social isolation and loneliness, are more susceptible to adverse effects as a result of the social distancing protocols enacted to slow the spread of COVID‐19. Based on prior outbreaks, the authors speculate the detrimental outcomes and offer solutions. Methods: Reviewing the literature on the detrimental effects of social isolation and loneliness and higher mortality in the older population. Utilizing psychological study outcomes from prior major outbreaks such as in SARS, Ebola, H1N1 influenza, and Middle East respiratory syndrome offer predictions and the susceptibility in the geriatric age group. Results: Organizations such as the WHO, Centers for Disease Control, and American Association of Retired Persons have put measures in place to provide networking on a local, regional, and national level. These efforts are designed to start mitigating such detrimental effects. A necessary follow‐up to this pandemic will be gathering data on unique populations such as the geriatric community, to better mitigate adverse outcomes given the certainty that COVID‐19 will not be the last global viral outbreak. Conclusions: The results of worsened social isolation and loneliness is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. Various solutions including virtual interactions with loved ones, engaging in physical activity, continuing any spiritual or religious prayers remotely, and community services to provide aid for the older population are all efforts to minimize social isolation and loneliness. (Edited publisher abstract)
Primary care-based interventions addressing social isolation and loneliness in older people: a scoping review
- Authors:
- GALVEZ-HERNANDEZ Pablo, PAZ Luis Gonzalez-de, MUNTANER Carles
- Journal article citation:
- BMJ Open, 12(2), 2022, Online only
- Publisher:
- BMJ Publishing Group
Objectives: Primary care is well positioned to identify and address loneliness and social isolation in older adults, given its gatekeeper function in many healthcare systems. This study aimed to identify and characterise loneliness and social isolation interventions and detect factors influencing implementation in primary care. Design: Scoping review using the five-step Arksey and O’Malley Framework. Data sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, COCHRANE databases and grey literature were searched from inception to June 2021. Eligibility criteria: Empirical studies in English and Spanish focusing on interventions addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adults involving primary care services or professionals. Data extraction and synthesis: The researchers extracted data on loneliness and social isolation identification strategies and the professionals involved, networks and characteristics of the interventions and barriers to and facilitators of implementation. This study conducted a thematic content analysis to integrate the information extracted. Results:32 documents were included in the review. Only seven articles (22%) reported primary care professionals screening of older adults’ loneliness or social isolation, mainly through questionnaires. Several interventions showed networks between primary care, health and non-healthcare sectors, with a dominance of referral pathways (n=17). Two-thirds of reports did not provide clear theoretical frameworks, and one-third described lengths under 6 months. Workload, lack of interest and ageing-related barriers affected implementation outcomes. In contrast, well-defined pathways, collaborative designs, long-lasting and accessible interventions acted as facilitators. Conclusions: There is an apparent lack of consistency in strategies to identify lonely and socially isolated older adults. This might lead to conflicts between intervention content and participant needs. This study also identified a predominance of schemes linking primary care and non-healthcare sectors. However, although professionals and participants reported the need for long-lasting interventions to create meaningful social networks, durable interventions were scarce. Sustainability should be a core outcome when implementing loneliness and social isolation interventions in primary care. (Edited publisher abstract)
Life in lockdown: social isolation, loneliness and quality of life in the elderly during the COVİD-19 pandemic: a scoping review
- Authors:
- KASAR Kadriye Sayin, KARAMAN Emine
- Journal article citation:
- Geriatric Nursing, early cite 12 March 2021,
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) had an unprecedented effect all over the world, especially in older individuals. The aim is to evaluate the social isolation, loneliness and quality of life of elderly individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic and to map suggestions to reveal and improve the current situation. This was a scoping review. Articles since December 2019 to March 2021 published on PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, CINAHL databases with the following MeSh terms (‘COVID-19’, ‘coronavirus’, ‘quality of life’ ‘aging’, ‘older people’, ‘elderly’, ‘loneliness’ and ‘social isolation) in English were included. The research, by consensus, resulted in seven studies selected for full reading, including three descriptive and cross-sectional studies, a quasi-experimental study, a pre-post pilot program, an editorial note and a correspondence. In generally, these recommendations were grouped as evaluating the current state of loneliness and isolation in elderly people, making more use of technology opportunities, using cognitive behavioral therapies and different individual intervention components. (Edited publisher abstract)
ESSS Outline: Covid-19, social isolation and loneliness
- Author:
- SAUNDERS Robert C.
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 19
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This summary provides an overview of recent evidence relating to: Covid-19, social isolation and loneliness. A search for academic research and grey literature identified a range of literature discussing isolation and loneliness, including the mental and physical effects they have, particularly around older people. Literature also suggests interventions that can help mitigate the health and mental health impact of loneliness. However, it found the quality of evidence for the majority of interventions is generally weak. Searches identified material relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown in the UK, as well as studies from isolated, confined and extreme environments, and from other pandemics around the world. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older people and social isolation: a review of the evidence
- Author:
- KINSELLA Sarah
- Publisher:
- Wirral Council Business and Public Health Intelligence Team
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- Wirral
A review of the current literature and evidence on effective interventions to tackle social isolation amongst older people. Based on the findings from the review, the report recommends that: interventions should be targeted at those most at-risk; base their activities on the evidence of what works; and focus on providing group activities, particularly those which have an arts, educational learning or social focus and are participatory. It also recommends exploring the use of using new technologies, such as the internet and Skype. (Edited publisher abstract)
A conceptual review of loneliness across the adult life course (16+ years): synthesis of qualitative studies
- Authors:
- MANSFIELD Louise, et al
- Publisher:
- What Works Centre for Wellbeing
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 57
- Place of publication:
- London
This review examines how loneliness is conceptualised across the adult life course in research findings. The review looked at studies published since 1945 and identified 144 relevant qualitative sources. In the included studies loneliness was defined by three types; social loneliness (n=103), emotional loneliness (n=24) and existential loneliness (n=17). This report defines and provides a synthesises of the evidence on each type of loneliness. It defines social loneliness as the perceived deficit in the quality of social connections; emotional loneliness as feelings which arise from loss of meaningful relationships that meet a need to be recognised and belong; and existential loneliness as an experience of feeling separate from other people, often when confronted with traumatic experiences or mortality. The included studies conceptualised loneliness in different ways and for diverse populations groups including old people, young people, groups specified by cultural, gender and sexual-orientation, people living with physical and mental illness, homeless people, and prisoners. Studies were conducted in several contexts including in healthcare, education establishments, workplaces, sports and community locations. The review concludes that there is an extensive body of qualitative literature which conceptualises loneliness across the adult life course. It highlights implications for research, policy and practice. An accompanying appendix providing a table of included and excluded studies; a slide deck and summary visualisation of the findings have also been published. (Edited publisher abstract)
A conceptual review of loneliness across the adult life course (16+ years): appendix
- Authors:
- MANSFIELD Louise, et al
- Publisher:
- What Works Centre for Wellbeing
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 144
- Place of publication:
- London
Appendix to 'A conceptual review of loneliness across the adult life course (16+ years).' It provides tables of included and excluded studies in the review which sought to address the question ‘how is loneliness conceptualised across the adult life course (16+ years) in reported research findings?’ Included studies needed to have employed an identified theory, model, concept or framework for understanding loneliness. (Edited publisher abstract)
The relation between social isolation and increasing suicide rates in the elderly
- Authors:
- HEUSER Christoph, HOWE Jurgen
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 20(1), 2019, pp.2-9.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Suicidal attempts and thoughts are particularly relevant to the health of the elderly and can impact not only the individual, but family, friends and spouses as well. This topic is important for the gerontological research community, particularly as it relates to social isolation and the feeling of loneliness, common in this population group. The purpose of this paper is to investigate new knowledge about the relationship between an increased risk of suicide in the elderly and social isolation or loneliness. Design/methodology/approach: An extensive search was conducted to find relevant studies to answer the research question. Database research was done in PubMed and PsycINFO for relevant studies within the last 10 years. The title and abstract of relevant articles were screened before the full-text was acquired. Findings: In PubMed 163 studies were identified, and in PsycINFO 66 studies were identified. After a thorough screening, nine studies were found to be appropriate for this study. Originality/value: It is not clear which risk factor leads to an increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts, however most studies contemplated loneliness and isolation as a covariant. A causal link between the concepts is not simple. Nevertheless, loneliness and isolation seem to be relevant factors for suicidal ideations. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social isolation, loneliness and older people
- Author:
- SMITH Lauren
- Publisher:
- IRISS
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 22
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
A literature review on social isolation, loneliness and older people. The review provides citations and short summaries of the literature identified, covering the following themes: the community context, research around interventions, social capital, mental wellbeing, mobility and wellbeing, social inclusion and community building, digital engagement and evaluating interventions. The majority of articles included are systematic reviews and literature reviews. The review was commissioned by an alliance of older people’s forums to contribute to their response to the Scottish Government's draft strategy 'A connected Scotland: tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger communities'. It is not comprehensive but aims to provide links to perspectives from academic research that may be less commonly present within contributions to consultations. (Edited publisher abstract)
What do we know about the relationship between internet-mediated interaction and social isolation and loneliness in later life?
- Authors:
- BENEITO-MONTAGUT Roser, CASSIAN-YDE Nizaia, BEGUERIA Arantza
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 19(1), 2018, pp.14-30.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Social isolation and loneliness are recognised social, health and wellbeing problems that particularly affect later life. They have been the subject of many recent studies. Studies examining the role of the internet in addressing these problems have multiplied. However, it is still not known whether internet-mediated social interaction has any role in mitigating social isolation and or loneliness. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to review previous research that investigates the relationship between internet use for communication and social isolation and loneliness. Design/methodology/approach: This paper reviews the empirical literature published since 2000 and expands on previous literature reviews by including a variety of research designs and disciplines. Findings: Despite the recent increase in studies, there is still little evidence to show internet effects on social isolation and loneliness. It is concluded that future research programmes aimed at reducing them by the use of the internet should include more robust methodological and theoretical frameworks, employ longitudinal research designs and provide a more nuanced description of both the social phenomena (social isolation and loneliness) and internet-mediated social interaction. Originality/value: Previous reviews are not restricted to internet-based studies and include several types of interventions aiming at reducing social isolation and/or loneliness. They do not attempt to disentangle the internet effects of social isolation and loneliness. (Publisher abstract)