Loneliness and Social Isolation in Aged Care
Published: 30 June 2024
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Published: 30 June 2024
About 16% of older Australians aged over 65 experience loneliness, and 11% are socially isolated (AIHW 2024).
Living in a residential aged care facility can potentially contribute to these feelings of loneliness and social isolation (Neves et al. 2019).
Loneliness and social isolation are associated with poor physical and mental health, with research even suggesting they may increase the risk of premature death as much as obesity, smoking and physical inactivity (CDC 2021).
Ensuring that your residents feel adequately supported and connected is essential to optimising their health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.
(AIHW 2024; Beyond Blue 2018)
Loneliness and social isolation can coexist; however, this is not always the case. These two terms, while similar, are distinct. It is possible for a socially isolated person to feel content or a socially connected person to feel lonely (AIHW 2024).
While loneliness may arise as an emotional response to being socially isolated, the quality of relationships seems to be more important overall than the number of social connections a person has (ACSA 2015).
It is important to note that loneliness varies in severity and is not always a significant issue. In some cases, the feelings may pass on their own. However, if an individual is experiencing constant loneliness that is causing self-reinforcing negative thoughts, this might be a serious problem (ACSA 2015).
Standard 7: The Residential Community - Outcome 7.1: Daily living under the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (Action 7.1.1) requires aged care providers to support and enable older people to do what they want to do, including decreasing boredom and loneliness, fostering connections with others, participating in activities outside the residential community and maintaining social and personal relationships (ACQSC 2024).
There are a variety of factors that may contribute to loneliness and social isolation in older adults, including:
Physical risk factors |
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Social risk factors |
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Emotional risk factors |
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Lifestyle risk factors |
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Personal risk factors |
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(Seasons 2017; Beyond Blue 2018; CDC 2021; AIHW 2017; ASCA 2015)
Living in a residential aged care facility can present unique challenges that may contribute to loneliness and social isolation. These include:
(Neves et al. 2019)
Loneliness and social isolation may have a variety of adverse effects, including:
(CDC 2021; Beyond Blue 2018; Neves et al. 2019; AIHW 2024)
As previously mentioned, the quality of a person’s relationships is more important than the number of social connections they have. Therefore, helping residents develop meaningful relationships with others may be more effective in overcoming loneliness than simply facilitating interactions with many people (ACSA 2015).
The following are some strategies that may help residents overcome loneliness:
(ACSA 2015)
Loneliness and social isolation have the potential to cause significant adverse effects on a person’s physical and mental health. In order to ensure your residents feel well-connected, it is important to understand why loneliness may arise and know how to help them overcome these feelings.
Keep in mind that interventions should be tailored to suit each resident, as loneliness is a subjective and individual experience that cannot be addressed using a one-size-fits-all approach (Fakoya et al. 2020).
Question 1 of 3
What is the difference between loneliness and social isolation?