A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION IN LONG-TERM CARE
2024
Review of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Long-Term Care
Sample size: 20
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Smith LaTonya, Theeke Laurie
Primary Institution: George Washington University
Hypothesis
Loneliness and social isolation negatively impact health outcomes in older adults in long-term care facilities.
Conclusion
Loneliness and social isolation are linked to harmful health outcomes, with many residents reporting feelings of loneliness.
Supporting Evidence
- Up to 56% of residents reported feelings of loneliness.
- Older adults with more functional ability and higher resilience scores were less lonely.
- Intervention programs like gardening and music were effective in reducing loneliness.
Takeaway
Many older adults in care feel lonely, but activities like gardening and music can help them feel better.
Methodology
A systematic review of quantitative studies was conducted using various databases, resulting in 20 articles.
Limitations
Future studies are needed to compare the effectiveness of current interventions and test new ones.
Participant Demographics
Older adults in long-term care facilities.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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