THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND OBJECTIVE SOCIAL ISOLATION AMONG THE OLDER ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES
2024
Social Isolation Among Older Adults During COVID-19
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Yin Jiamin, Seplaki Christopher
Primary Institution: University of Rochester
Hypothesis
Are age differences in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the pandemic itself or different underlying mechanisms?
Conclusion
Adults aged 80+ were found to be more likely to experience social isolation compared to those aged 65-79 during the pandemic.
Supporting Evidence
- Adults aged 80+ were 3.7% more likely to experience social isolation in 2020 compared to those aged 65-79.
- Older adults aged 80+ were 6.8% more likely to report no participation in activities than those aged 65-79.
- Older adults aged 80+ were 3.5% less likely to live alone compared to those aged 65-79.
Takeaway
Older people, especially those 80 and above, felt more alone during the COVID-19 pandemic than slightly younger older adults.
Methodology
The study used a difference-in-difference design to compare social isolation before and after 2020 across different age groups.
Participant Demographics
Older adults aged 65-79 and 80+ in the United States.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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