Older residents' perceptions of loneliness in long‐term care facilities: A qualitative study

Abstract

Loneliness is a negative emotional feeling often experienced by older residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Previous studies have shown that loneliness is related to depression, inferior quality of life, cardiovascular disease, and suicidal thoughts. Thus, it is important to understand older residents' viewpoints about loneliness to provide better care in the long-term care context. This study aimed to explore residents' perceptions of loneliness in LTCFs.For this qualitative research, data were collected from two LTCFs in northern Taiwan, and purposive sampling was used. In-depth interviews with 16 older residents were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Content analysis was performed to analyse the data. Four themes with nine subthemes were generated. The themes were: being cut off from continually meaningful relationships, experiencing tears of pain, feeling alone, and lacking a sense of belonging. The findings of this study can provide information for health care professionals to better understand older residents' views on loneliness and remind them to re-examine care protocols for psychological health care. Thus, this study found that in order to prevent or alleviate older residents' feelings of loneliness, the LTCFs should maintain continually meaningful relationships, accompany them, and give them a sense of belonging. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines were used to report this study.

Exploring experiences of loneliness among Canadian long‐term care residents during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study

“…Prieto‐Flores et al ( 2011 ) conducted a survey study suggesting that older adults living in care settings are more likely to feel lonely than those who live in the community due to fewer opportunities to connect with family, friends and neighbours than those living in the community. Huang et al ( 2022 ) used interviews to understand older residents' perceptions of loneliness in LTC facilities in Taiwan. They found four themes: ‘being cut off from continually meaningful relationships’, ‘experiencing tears of pain’, ‘feeling alone’ and ‘lacking a sense of belonging’.…”

Loneliness in nursing homes: A qualitative meta‐synthesis of older people's experiences

“…All research was published between 2012 and 2023, with five studies done in China (Chen et al, 2016; Chen et al, 2019; Ho et al, 2022; Huang et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2018) and the other eight done in Australia (Barbosa Neves et al, 2019); Singapore (Chew, 2022); Canada (Smith et al, 2023); Turkey (Kuru Alici & Kalanlar, 2021); Norway (Drageset et al, 2015); Belgium (Paque et al, 2018); South Africa (Roos & Malan, 2012); and Sri Lanka (Wijesiri et al, 2019). The bulk of investigations (Huang et al, 2022; Roos & Malan, 2012; Smith et al, 2023) were carried out in nursing homes, while three other studies were done in long‐term care institutions. Two studies (Ho et al, 2022; Smith et al, 2023) explored the experience of loneliness among older people in nursing homes during COVID‐19.…”

“…Among these, loneliness is the most prevalent problem encountered by older individuals in nursing homes. It is defined as a subjective feeling of unhappiness resulting from a gap between the desired and actual level of social relationships (Huang et al, 2022; Lapane et al, 2022; Perlman et al, 1998). Older persons who reside in nursing homes have less touch with family, friends and neighbours, leaving them emotionally disconnected (Smith et al, 2023).…”

الوحدة النفسیة وعلاقتها بالرضا عن الحیاة لدى المسنین والأطفال بدور الإیواء فی ضوء بعض المتغیرات الدیموغرافیة

“…            (Li, 2008, 102;Getanda, et al, 2015)            (Inal et al¸ 2007;Ekstrom, 2008;Kim¸ 2019;Liu et al¸ 2020)   (Korff, 2006; Roh¸ 2010)  (Ong et al, 2006 ;Yanez, 2006)       (Fonseca et al, 2008 ;Canada, 2013;Yeo & Lee¸ 2019;Liu, et al¸ 2019 ;Kim¸ 2019)           (Bai, et al¸ 2018 ; (Kim et al, 2009;Nyqvist et al, 2013;Abitov & Gorodetskaya, 2016; Aung et Kanchana et al, 2018;Trybusińska & Saracen¸ 2019;Tarugu et al, 2019;Gardiner et al, 2020;Nurunsaadah et al, 2020;Esmaeilzadeh & Oz, 2020;Huang et al, 2022 (Hazer & Boylu et al, 2010)   (Savikko, 2008 ;Eskimez et al, 2019…”