New research highlights increased loneliness in over-70s during COVID-19 pandemic

Date:
July 15, 2020
Source:
Trinity College Dublin
Summary:
A new report highlights effects of COVID-19 government measures
on Ireland's older population. The research finds that public
health measures such as social distancing and cocooning to curb
the spread of the virus has increased levels of loneliness and
social isolation in older people.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A joint report published by researchers at the Irish Longitudinal Study
on Ageing (TILDA) and ALONE examines issues of loneliness and social
isolation in older adults. The report offers fresh insight into the
experiences of those over 70 who were advised to 'cocoon' as part of
public health measures to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. New
data from ALONE which documents increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety
and isolation in older adults throughout the pandemic, is compared
with experiences of loneliness and isolation in older adults before the COVID-19 outbreak.


========================================================================== Previous research into this area has shown that strong social ties
may protect people from emotional distress, cognitive decline, and
physical disability, while loneliness and social isolation can cause
harm to physical and psychological wellbeing. Both loneliness and social isolation have been strongly associated with poorer quality of life and
other measures of well- being.

The TILDA study offers unique insights into the health, habits and
experiences of older adults living in Ireland through its longitudinal research, examining a variety of key areas that affect older adults
such as physical and mental health as well as economic and social
factors. Research from TILDA highlights the prevalence of loneliness and
social isolation in its nationally representative survey of participants
which gives clear insight into the experiences of older people.

What does TILDA's research show prior to the pandemic?
* Over 70% of TILDA participants reported that they never or
rarely feel
lonely; less than 25% feel lonely some of the time while just 5%
reported feeling lonely often.

* Of those living alone, 31% are rarely lonely, 32% sometimes
lonely and
37% often lonely.

* Of those living with others, 49% are least lonely, 30% sometimes
and 21%
often lonely.

* Researchers point out that most older adults are not often
lonely and
appear quite resilient, while data from ALONE's helpline suggest
that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on older people.

The rise of loneliness in a pandemic Measures introduced to curb
the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including physical distancing, and self-isolation particularly affected those over 70 who were 'cocooning'; disrupting daily routines and social interactions with friends and
family. Following the outbreak of the virus, ALONE's Support and
Telephone Befriending service continued remotely with volunteers calling
and sending regular texts to older people with health and well-being
tips and practical supports. Almost 500 smartphones were distributed
to older adults with limited means of social interaction. Following an
increase in calls for support, ALONE established a dedicated phoneline to provide help and services to vulnerable older adults who may have needed
them. Report data from ALONE highlights increased feelings of loneliness
and isolation amongst older people during the COVID-19 pandemic.



==========================================================================
What does ALONE's research show?
* The ALONE national support line has received 26,174 calls during the
period: March 9th to July 5th, 2020.

* 55% of callers were from the over 70s, the cohort advised to
'cocoon'.

* 75% of callers to the helpline were living alone.

* There has been an increase in callers who are putting off medical
treatment or examination, including after falls.

* ALONE has seen a rise in callers reporting negative emotions,
including
suicidal ideation during the pandemic.

* Callers have most often requested support for their physical health,
befriending, and emotional and mental health needs.

The data highlights that public health measures such as social distancing
and cocooning to curb the spread of the virus has increased levels of loneliness and social isolation in older people. This may have a negative effect on the well-being of older adults and suggests that public policies should be developed to ensure that these issues are addressed. Researchers suspect that current physical distancing and social isolation measures
will be most keenly felt by those who rely on community or church-based
social participation and engagement.

A future research project led by TILDA in collaboration with ALONE will investigate and document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the
health and general well-being of older adults.

Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA said:
''This collaborative report between ALONE and TILDA offers a unique
perspective into how older adults have been affected by the COVID-19
pandemic. TILDA research shows that most older adults are not often
lonely and highlights the resilience of older adults as they adapt to an ever-changing world. The world has witnessed how older adults have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. ALONE's research provides
front- line evidence that shows the true toll public health measures have
had on older people with increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety and isolation. The impact of the pandemic is now being studied in the TILDA
cohort and will be reported later this year. This will more precisely
inform the impact of COVID-19 on loneliness and social isolation,
and areas for policy intervention.'' Sean Moynihan, Chief Executive
Officer of ALONE said: ''ALONE's coordinated National Response to the
COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to respond with immediacy to the concerns
newly emerging, and existing issues being elevated from older people. We
worked to keep all our services operative through adaptation of their structures. The presence of this virus in society has further solidified existing issues while further alienating some older people, as we have
seen extensive increases in loneliness through the isolation experienced
from cocooning. We established a loneliness taskforce to ensure we were
putting provisions in place to safeguard older people, presently, and
into the future. Society needs to understand that loneliness can happen
to anyone and can damage both your physical and mental health. It is distressing and we want to work towards breaking down this stigma. As
Ireland's ageing population continues to develop, we must remember that
there are several thousands of older people behind every percentage."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Trinity_College_Dublin. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Mark Ward, Christine McGarrigle, Ann Hever, Paul O'Mahoney, Sea'n
Moynihan, Gra'inne Loughran, Rose Anne Kenny. Loneliness and social
isolation among the over 70s: Data from The Irish Longitudinal
Study on Ageing (TILDA) and ALONE. TILDA Reports, 2020; DOI:
10.38018/ TildaRe.2020-07 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200715111451.htm

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