Loneliness Factors for Older Adults During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Menne Heather, Osborne Jason, Pendergrast Claire
Primary Institution: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, United States; Syracuse University, Delmar, New York, United States
Hypothesis
How do geography and living arrangements affect loneliness in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Conclusion
Home-delivered meal participants did not experience changes in loneliness during the pandemic, while congregate meal participants' loneliness increased, especially among those aged 65-74 and living alone.
Supporting Evidence
- Home-delivered meal participants have higher overall levels of loneliness than congregate meal participants.
- Congregate meal participants' loneliness increased during the first year of the pandemic.
- Loneliness increased particularly for participants aged 65-74, those living in suburban or rural areas, and those living alone.
Takeaway
This study found that older adults who get meals delivered to their homes felt just as lonely during COVID-19 as before, but those who ate in groups felt lonelier during the pandemic.
Methodology
The study used two cross-sectional waves of the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants from 2019 and 2021.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing loneliness, and the sample size is relatively small.
Participant Demographics
Participants included older adults receiving home-delivered and congregate meals, with a focus on those aged 65-74.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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