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Loneliness is strongly linked to depression in older adults in a large, long-term study suggests
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health Research
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Place of publication:
- London
Summarises findings of large, long-term study investigating the link between loneliness and depression in people aged 50 or older. The research team analysed data on 4,211 people included in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). They were all aged 50 and above. Two-thirds (2785 or 66%) were unemployed or retired. The study reveals that the higher the loneliness score, the more severe the symptoms of depression. The researchers found that: each one-point increase on the loneliness scale was linked with a 16% increase in average depressive symptom severity score; loneliness was linked to nearly one in five (18%) cases of depression one year later; the effect of loneliness decreased with time but was still associated with one in ten (11%) cases after 12 years; depressive symptoms increased over time among people with greater loneliness scores, indicating that loneliness was causing future depression. The researchers had taken account of depression and loneliness at the start of the study. This reduces the possibility that depression was leading to loneliness. They concluded that it was the other way round, and that loneliness was increasing the risk of depression. (Edited publisher abstract)
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)
How can we reduce the toll of loneliness in older adults?
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health Research
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Place of publication:
- London
This alert brings together key findings on loneliness in older adults, to build a picture of what is known, and what is needed, to address the problem. The briefing covers: What is loneliness? How loneliness takes a heavy toll on health; How to address loneliness in the community; How professionals can help people in the community; How families and friends can help; Addressing loneliness in care homes; and How care staff can help. Key messages: research suggests that almost one in three people over 75 – and almost two in three carers of people with dementia - are lonely; the need to see older people as individuals; just two minutes extra with each older patient could make interactions more meaningful. Research also points to difficulties in introducing change. It suggests that care home staff need ongoing support to bring in new programmes to engage elderly residents. Future research will also be needed to explore loneliness among diverse groups in the population. Conclusion: a concerted effort to reduce loneliness in older adults would bring long-term benefits to the physical health of the population. It would also make a difference immediately to those people and their carers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Loneliness, but not social isolation, predicts development of dementia in older people
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health Research
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Place of publication:
- London
This NIHR Alert explores the impact of social relationships and contact on the increased risk of developing dementia. It summarises findings in a study which analysed data from the ongoing English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The results found that older people who feel lonely and have few close relationships may have an increased chance of developing dementia. However, being socially isolated with few or infrequent social contacts did not seem to predict dementia risk. The findings suggest people who have supportive social relationships with relatives and carers may be protected from cognitive decline, and that the quality of relationships is more important than how often they meet up in person. (Edited publisher abstract)
Preventing loneliness and social isolation in older people
- Author:
- COLLINS Emma
- Publisher:
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
This Insight looks specifically at the prevention of isolation and loneliness amongst older people, with a particular focus on what practitioners in the fields of health and social care should bear in mind when working to tackle this important and growing issue. It highlights the findings from past research and and evidence about what works, summarises the key characteristics of successful interventions, looks at how they relate to the prevention agenda, and the particular role health and social care professionals can play. (Edited publisher abstract)
Valuing experience: older people and mental health
- Authors:
- MENTAL HEALTH MEDIA, (Producer)
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Media
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- (43 mins.), videocassette, booklet (20p.)
- Place of publication:
- London
The video features testimony from older people with mental health problems speaking powerfully about the isolation, discrimination and difficulties they’ve faced. Significantly, they move on to share positive experiences of the help and support they receive, alongside their own involvement in making decisions about their care, that enables them to live well. Valuing Experience also features interviews with older people’s advocates and highlights exceptional examples of work in the voluntary sector that demonstrate good practice in person-centred care and promoting well-being and an active lifestyle. Research shows that older people are frequently let down when they really need help and support. 1 in 20 people over 65 have some form of dementia 1 in 10 older people may experience depression – rising to about 40% for those living in care homes. Many older people experience mental distress brought on by isolation, loneliness or loss, but these problems often go unrecognised.
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 responses on citizens
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide looks at the impact of COVID-19 and the infection control measures introduced by national and local government on people who use or interact with social care services. People’s experience of the lockdown has been characterised by lack of control, confinement, isolation, fear and stress. Many people remain distanced from the planning and decision making that affects their choices and everyday lives. The document also considers the disproportionately high death rates from COVID-19 amongst older people, those living in care homes, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, people with underlying health conditions, people with learning disabilities, as well as amongst care workers. The guide argues that there is an emerging picture, from people using social care, of a significant gap between proactive, effective council responses and less responsive commissioners. Places which have long invested in partnership and relationship building and in creating capacity and infrastructure with communities and citizens, have benefitted greatly from this during the pandemic. The document calls on commissioners to take stock of people’s experiences of how the pandemic has affected their care needs and ability to access to services and adjust their commissioning activities and plans accordingly in the immediate future as well as in the long term. Calls from citizens for local as well as national government action include a renewed focus on: choice, risk assessment, safety, individualised support, inclusiveness of technology and remote solutions, accessible information, coproduction, greater support for carers, basic needs, end of life, and the workforce. (Edited publisher abstract)
Prevention: Promoting wellbeing
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Place of publication:
- London
This film focuses on services designed to improve or maintain people’s well-being. The services featured in this film are specifically aimed at reducing loneliness in later life and include a luncheon club and separate tea dance club, both based in Dorset. These types of services are sometimes referred to as ‘primary prevention’ and are aimed at people who have few or no social care needs or symptoms of illness. Therefore the focus is on maintaining independence and good health and promoting well-being. ‘Primary prevention’ can involve the provision of universal access to good quality information, promotion of health and active lifestyles, delivery of practical services and the provision of social groups, such as the ones featured in this film.
The film begins by introducing two people, Brian and Gwen who describe the enormous impact that recent bereavement has had on their lives. Brian says, “[when my wife died] I felt absolutely devastated and I got so that I didn’t much care, if I was crossing a busy main road, whether I got to the other side or not”. Gwen also says that she felt her own life was over when her husband died. The film describes how they were both subsequently encouraged to join social groups, with Brian attending twice monthly tea dances and Gwen joining a local luncheon club. Both groups are funded by Dorset County Council and Dorset NHS Trust’s ‘Partnership for Older People’s Projects’ (POPP) which also funds the ‘Wayfinder Programme’, where older people are paid to help others get advice and support. Brian and Gwen are clear about the beneficial effects of the groups they joined, including feeling healthier, fitter, no longer feeling lonely and, for one of them, even finding love again!
Emerging together: the Tackling Loneliness Network action plan
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Publisher:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Place of publication:
- London
This report outlines actions members of the Tackling Loneliness Network and government are taking to tackle loneliness. The Network was formed as part of the government’s plan to tackle loneliness during coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing together over 70 organisations from across sectors. Members were asked to share their expertise, learn from one another and develop actions that government and Network members could work together to deliver over the next year. The Network formed four task and finish groups around the four key focus areas identified by Network members: tackling loneliness in young people; tackling loneliness in older people; local and place-based approaches to tackling loneliness; digital inclusion. The groups shared evidence and best practice and developed actions to take forward. These actions, which cut across the four groups, come under two themes, which this paper discusses in some detail: supporting organisations to tackle loneliness; and supporting individuals to tackle loneliness. (Edited publisher abstract)
- article
Risk factors for social isolation among older adults in long term care: a scoping review
- Authors:
- BOAMAH Sheila A., et al
- Publisher:
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
- Publication year:
- 2020
Objectives: A wealth of literature has established risk factors for social isolation among older people, however much of this research has focused on community-dwelling populations. Relatively little is known about how risk of social isolation is experienced among those living in long-term care (LTC) homes. We conducted a scoping review to identify possible risk factors for social isolation among older adults living in LTC homes. Methods: A systematic search of five online databases retrieved 1535 unique articles. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Thematic analyses revealed that possible risk factors exist at three levels: individual (e.g., communication barriers), systems (e.g., location of LTC facility), and structural factors (e.g., discrimination). Discussion: Our review identified several risk factors for social isolation that have been previously documented in literature, in addition to several risks that may be unique to those living in LTC homes. Results highlight several scholarly and practical implications [Note: this is a preprint, not peer-reviewed] (Edited publisher abstract)