Objective The COVID-19 outbreak and associated physical distancing measures altered the social world for most older adults, but people who live alone may have been disproportionately affected. The current study examined how living alone was associated with daily social contact and emotional well-being among older adults during the pandemic. Method Adults (N = 226) aged 69+ completed a brief survey assessing their living situation, social contact with different social partners (in person, by phone, electronically), and emotions during the morning, afternoon and evening the prior day. Results Older adults who live alone were less likely to see others in person or to receive or provide help. Living alone was associated with more positive emotions concurrent with in-person contact. In contrast, phone contact was associated with higher levels of negative affect among those living alone, but not among those who live with others. Older adults who live alone were more likely to have contact with friends (rather than family). Discussion Findings suggest older adults who live alone may be more reactive to social contact during the COVID-19 outbreak than older adults who reside with others. In-person contact may confer distinct benefits not available via telephone contact, suggesting that possible interventions during the pandemic may work best with safe forms of in-person contact, possibly with non-family members.

Objectives Having friends in old age is linked to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Yet, we know little about older adults’ emotional experiences when they encounter friends throughout the day. This study examined whether older adults reported (a) more pleasantness, (b) fewer conversations about stressful experiences, and (c) better mood when they had contact with friends compared to when they had contact with other social partners or were alone throughout the day. We also examined whether these experiences varied by the friendship closeness. Method Adults aged 65+ (n = 313) from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study provided background information and listed and described their close social partners. Participants then completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys every 3 hr for 5 to 6 days where they reported their encounters with social partners, rated the pleasantness and indicated whether they discussed stressful issues during these encounters, and rated positive and negative mood. Results Multilevel models revealed that encounters with friends were more pleasant and were associated with fewer discussions about stressful experiences compared to encounters with romantic partners or family members throughout the day. Encounters with friends were also associated with better mood, though this link only held for encounters with friends who were not considered close. Discussion Findings are discussed in terms of functionalist theory, socioemotional selectivity theory, relationship ambivalence, and the benefits of less close ties. This work facilitates the understanding of how daily contact with friends can promote older adults’ emotional well-being.

Objectives Disability in late life has been associated with increases in receiving care and loss of autonomy. The Disablement Process Model suggests that physical impairments lead to functional limitations that contribute to disabilities in managing household, job or other demands. Yet, we know surprisingly little about how functional limitations are related to activities throughout the day among community-dwelling adults, or the possible moderating role of social integration on these associations. Methods Community-dwelling adults (N = 313) aged 65+ completed a baseline interview assessing their functional limitations, social ties, and background characteristics. Over 5 to 6 days, they answered questions about daily activities and encounters with social partners every 3 hours on handheld Android devices. Results Multilevel logistic models revealed that functional limitations are associated with increased likelihood of activities associated with poor health (e.g., TV watching, medical appointments), and reduced likelihood of social activities, or physical activities, chores, or leaving the home. Most moderation analyses were not significant; family and friends did not mitigate associations between functional limitations and daily activities, with the exception of medical appointments. Individuals with functional limitations were more likely to attend medical appointments when with their social partners than when alone. Discussion This study provided modest indication that functional limitations in community-dwelling older adults are associated with patterns of activity that may lead to further limitations, disability or loss of autonomy. Findings warrant longitudinal follow-up to establish subsequent patterns of decline or stability.

Background and Objectives Television viewing is the most common leisure activity in late life and may ease loneliness but encourage sedentary behavior. These associations may be particularly evident among older adults who live alone and who may lack other forms of companionship throughout the day. Research Design and Methods Adults aged 65+ (N = 257) participated, of whom 34% lived alone. Participants completed an initial interview followed by a 5- to 6-day data collection involving multi-methods: (a) Electronically Activated Recorders (EAR) (30 seconds every 7 minutes) provided audio recordings of television viewing, (b) Actical accelerometers objectively measured physical activity, and (c) ecological momentary assessments (EMA) every 3 hours assessed social interactions. Results On average, older adults spent approximately 37% of their waking time (6.4 hours a day) watching television. Multilevel models revealed that television viewing occurred when participants were alone or with a spouse and was associated with a greater proportion of time sedentary, lower activity, and higher ratings of loneliness compared to when not watching television. Older adults who lived alone reported greater loneliness during 3-hour intervals when viewing television, but older adults who lived with others spent a greater proportion of time sedentary when viewing television. Discussion and Implications Findings are discussed with regard to different rationales and ways of watching television – as compensation for social isolation or as a passive leisure activity with a social partner. We discuss ideas for research on additional aspects of television viewing and screen time in late life.

Objectives Marital status contributes to differences in social experiences and well-being in late life. Yet, we know little about the role of conversation in these processes. Drawing on a functionalist perspective and hierarchical compensatory model, this study aimed to understand (a) whether older adults’ marital status is associated with conversation frequency throughout the day, (b) whether contacts with non-spousal ties elicit more conversations among unmarried older adults, and (c) whether conversations exert a stronger effect on mood for unmarried older adults than married older adults. Methods Adults aged 65+ (N = 272) provided information about their background characteristics and social partners. Across 5–6 days, they completed ecological momentary assessments (EMA) reporting their social encounters and mood every 3 hours. Concurrently, electronically activated recorders (EAR) captured 30-seconds of sound every 7 minutes. We compared older adults who were: married, widowed, and divorced. Results Multilevel models revealed that married older adults engaged in more conversations than divorced older adults throughout the day. Contact with friends elicited more conversations for divorced older adults than married older adults. Furthermore, conversations enhanced mood throughout the day, but this effect was more salient for widowed than married older adults. Discussion Findings highlight the role of marital status in older adults’ daily conversational experiences and compensatory processes that may occur. Widowed and divorced older adults differed from married older adults in distinct ways. Divorced older adults may compensate for lack of spouse with friends, whereas widowed older adults may benefit emotionally from engaging in conversations.