Correspondence

Social networks and dementia

To examine the link between intensity of use of formal support and loneliness among older adults, controlling for family support and covariates; and examine the moderating effect of contact frequency with family on this relationship.

Cross-sectional data were collected from September 2016 - April 2017 through structured interviews with 360 older adults attending adult day care centers (ADCCs) and representing three different ethnic groups in Israel. Loneliness was assessed by the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Hierarchical regression was applied to the study variables with loneliness scores as dependent variable, and bootstrapping with resampling strategies tested a moderating effect.

Loneliness was linked negatively with contact frequency with the family network, frequency of ADCC attendance, and greater involvement in social activities at the ADCC. Significant negative correlation between ADCC attendance frequency and loneliness occurred only when family contact was at low-to-average frequency, but not in cases of high-contact frequency.

Frequent use of ADCCs emerged as a significant contributor beyond the contribution of family support for reducing loneliness in older age, particularly for those with insufficient family contact. Service providers should improve the accessibility and availability of formal community services for the older population.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of social isolation and loneliness, both individually and simultaneously, on changes in grip strength among Chinese older adults and whether these relations vary by gender.

A 4-year prospective observational study.

This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Analyses were conducted with data from 2 waves (2011 and 2015) and were restricted to those respondents aged 50 and older [n = 7025, mean age (SD) = 61.46 (7.59); male, 48.4%].

Social isolation, loneliness, and grip strength were measured at baseline. Follow-up measures of grip strength were obtained 4 years later. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the associations among baseline isolation, loneliness, and decline of grip strength between 2 waves after adjustment for age, gender, education, body mass index, chronic diseases, smoking and drinking status, activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL disabilities, and depressive symptoms.

For women, baseline loneliness (β = 0.04, P = .035) rather than isolation (β = 0.03, P = .110) significantly predicted grip strength decline after 4 years when other confounding variables were taken into account. For men, baseline isolation (β = 0.05, P = .005) rather than loneliness (β = 0.01, P = .570) significantly predicted grip strength decline. No synergistic effect of isolation and loneliness on grip strength was found for either women or men.

In this prospective study, gender differences were found for the associations of social isolation and loneliness with grip strength decline. Our results suggest that older women and men may benefit from different social enhancement strategies for prevention of physical function decline.

Social isolation and loneliness—common concerns in older adults—are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address social isolation in nursing home residents, the Yale School of Medicine Geriatrics Student Interest Group initiated a Telephone Outreach in the COVID-19 Outbreak (TOCO) Program that implements weekly phone calls with student volunteers.

Local nursing homes were contacted; recreation directors identified appropriate and interested elderly residents. Student volunteers were paired with elderly residents and provided phone call instructions.

Three nursing homes opted to participate in the program. Thirty elderly residents were paired with student volunteers. Initial reports from recreation directors and student volunteers were positive: elderly residents look forward to weekly phone calls and express gratitude for social connectedness.

The TOCO program achieved initial success and promotes the social wellbeing of nursing home residents. We hope to continue this program beyond the COVID-19 pandemic in order to address this persistent need in a notably vulnerable patient population.

The aim of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of loneliness over time from 2011 to 2017 in long-term care facilities; and its related factors.

Repeated cross-sectional studies exploring loneliness and its associated factors among residents in long-term care facilities were conducted in Helsinki, Finland in 2011 (N = 4966) and 2017 (N = 3767). Residents in temporary respite care or with severe cognitive impairment, and those unable or refusing to respond to the loneliness item were excluded. The total number of participants in this analysis was 1563 in 2011, and 1367 in 2017. In both samples, we used the same loneliness measurement by asking “Do you suffer from loneliness?” (never/sometimes/often or always). When comparing the samples in order to reduce the effect of confounding between them, we used propensity score matching. A multivariable logistic regression model explored the relationship between various characteristics and loneliness.

Loneliness showed no change in prevalence over time: propensity score-adjusted loneliness was 36 % in 2011 and 2017. In the multivariate logistic regression model, feeling depressed was the only independent characteristic associated with loneliness. Of the respondents who did not feel depressed, 24 % suffered from loneliness at least sometimes. Among the respondents who felt depressed, the respective figure was 55 %.

Loneliness is common in institutional settings. It remained stable, and not decreased over time. Because loneliness impairs the well-being, quality of life and health of residents, it needs to be addressed. Screening loneliness and developing interventions to alleviate it, is essential.