Loneliness in Older Adults: The Unspoken Pandemic Under COVID-19

Presenter Information

Jacob Perez
Kelly Perniciaro
Tes Tuason

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Tes Tuason

Faculty Sponsor College

Brooks College of Health

Faculty Sponsor Department

Public Health

Location

SOARS Virtual Conference

Presentation Website

https://unfsoars.domains.unf.edu/2021/posters/loneliness-in-older-adults-the-unspoken-pandemic-under-covid-19/

Keywords

SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Archives; SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Posters; University of North Florida -- Students -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Office of Undergraduate Research; University of North Florida. Graduate School; College students – Research -- Florida – Jacksonville – Posters; University of North Florida – Graduate students – Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Department of Public Health -- Research – Posters; Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program -- Research – Posters; Project of Merit Award Winner

Abstract

Project of Merit Winner

Loneliness in older adults has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though loneliness has been a prior public health concern for this population. Loneliness is a perceived lack of social interaction when an individual desires more (Wong, 2017). COVID-19-related social isolation causes older adults to be vulnerable to the effects of loneliness, including increased risk to physical and mental decline, anxiety, depression, and an elevated likelihood of mortality (Levy et. al, 2018; Eldercare Locator, n.d.). Barriers to caring for lonely older adults are the effects of ageism, the increased vulnerability of this population during COVID-19, and the lack of access to digital interventions during a time when they are the safest option. Ageism contributes to negative self-perceptions in older adults and increases their vulnerability by being disproportionately displaced by COVID-19 (Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Social isolation has increased the prevalence of elder abuse and neglect, and it is challenging to meet older adult mental health needs through digital interventions (National Center of Elder Abuse, n.d.; Fang et. al, 2019). Clinicians and researchers can advocate for older adults suffering from loneliness by developing the current literature, addressing hindrances to health services, reviewing treatment efficacy, and building older adult resilience. All people can support lonely older adults by combating ageism through education and destigmatizing both loneliness and the aging process.

Comments

Audio Presentation Transcript:

My name is Jacob Perez, and my name is Kelly Perniciaro. The title of our project is Loneliness in Older Adults: The Unspoken Pandemic Under COVID-19. We would like to thank Dr. Tes Tuason for her contributions and guidance throughout our literature research review.
First, we would like to discuss loneliness under the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness is defined by a discrepancy between desired and actual interpersonal relations. Older adults experience high levels of social isolation (a lack of interpersonal contact) under COVID-19 due to safety precautions and government regulations. Social isolation is highly correlated with loneliness, making older adults even more vulnerable to mental and physical decline. Loneliness interventions are limited due to socially distanced care or disrupted health services. So, what barriers exist in caring for lonely older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic? The three barriers we will discuss today are ageism, vulnerability, and the digital divide.

Ageism refers to discrimination and attitudes against older people and ageing. It results in negative self-perceptions in older adults, such as labels of weak or unproductive. Ageism predicts worse health behaviors, increases vulnerability to psychological distress, and poses a threat to resilience in older adults. The annual cost of ageism in health care for the United States is $63 billion dollars.

We will divide our vulnerability discussion into physical and medical factors and social and emotional factors. First, we will start with the physical and medical factors. Older adults are at risk for comorbidities, leading them to have high or deadly complications from COVID-19. Restrictions to medical care during COVID-19 are due to impaired mental health and social distancing measures reducing access. Older adults make up 80% of the COVID-19 mortality rate. Now, moving on to the social and emotional factors: elder abuse reports have increased during COVID-19, especially among older adults who live in assisted care centers. Social isolation is a predictor of elder abuse, which has been prevalent due to COVID-19 social distancing measures. Rates of loneliness have elevated during COVID-19 and promote loneliness as a public health crisis for older adults. Loneliness in older adults impacts chronic health conditions, compromises the immune system, and leads to poor mental health, including depression, anxiety, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

We have included a map of the United States of America from the United Health Foundation that has information about social isolation risks for older adults. The shades of blue on the map depict the severity of risk factors among the country for older adults. They used Z scores from measured risk factors to rank the percentile for each state for older adults in poverty, living alone, disability, accessibility, and marital status. The map demonstrates that vulnerability within the older adult population varies with additional risk factors, demanding individualized clinical care. The United Health Foundation has further data information for every state about social isolation concerns for older adults.

Next, we will talk about the digital divide. COVID-19 has reduced the safety of physical social interactions among older adults and care providers, requiring digital innovation to meet mental health needs. Interventions for loneliness through digital modalities are inaccessible to many older adults due to financial resources, digital literacy disparities, and differing attitudes toward the Internet. We have included a figure that demonstrates factors that contribute to bridging the digital divide. These factors include resource allocation, long-term community investments, digital needs of the population, program evaluation, accessibility of language, and digital support staff.

While knowledge of these barriers is of the utmost importance, we must also be conscious of how we can support and advocate for lonely older adults. We can explore “inside-world” coping strategies with older adults, as well as destigmatize loneliness and affirm older adults that loneliness is not something to cure but to manage. We can build and identify resilience to increase coping capabilities. We must recognize the global effects of ageist attitudes on the social alienation of older adults. Clinicians and researchers especially may engage in research efforts about efficacious treatments for the older adult population. These treatments include reminiscence narrative therapy, treatment of comorbid anxiety and depression using CBT, digital group interventions, psychoeducation about ageism, and increasing social interaction.
We have included a figure from the Gerontological Society of America that demonstrates social impacts of COVID-19. These include decreases in the number of in-person visits with family and friends, exercise classes and educational courses, religious services, and social gatherings. Social isolation, loneliness, and emotional and physical side effects have all increased due to COVID-19. We have included ElderSource, Eldercare Locator, and the World Health Organization as educational and clinical resources for enhancing older adult health. We encourage everyone listening to engage with their community in ways that support older adults suffering from loneliness.

Rights Statement

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