title: Loneliness and the spouse of the geriatric patient. Seven guidelines may keep a spouse's loneliness from becoming overwhelming.
abstract: Loneliness is a painful human experience to which spouses of the geriatric patient are particularly vulnerable. The nurse is frequently in a position to assess not only the patient but the spouse. When factors that may lead to loneliness are present, the nurse can intervene to prevent loneliness. When symptoms of loneliness are present in the spouse or patient, the nurse may act to alleviate disabling feelings of isolation.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davidhizar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*