title: Social isolation and loneliness among older people: issues and future challenges in community and residential settings.
abstract: Although often associated with older age, loneliness and social isolation are not well understood in terms of their prevalence, risk and protective factors. Evidence suggests that only a minority of community-dwelling older people are "severely" lonely or isolated, however a number of factors need to be considered to fully understand the extent and significance of the problem. Community-based studies have identified a variety of risk factors for loneliness/isolation including widowhood, no (surviving) children, living alone, deteriorating health, and life events (eg, loss and bereavement). Having a confidant has been identified as a protective factor for loneliness. However, evidence is often unclear or inconclusive, especially within residential settings. We identified the need to conduct more residential care-focused research; the importance of addressing a variety of methodological concerns; and the need for practitioners to develop intervention programs that are appropriately targeted, evidence-based and evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia. l.e.grenade@curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grenade
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boldy
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia; D035841:Behavioral Research; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008132:Loneliness; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support