Technological interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation among community-living older adults: A scoping review

Wister, Andrew; O’Dea, Eireann; Fyffe, Ian; Cosco, Theodore D.

doi:10.4017/gt.2021.20.2.30-471.11

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…During the pandemic, technology adoption was a key tool in addressing SI/L in many countries globally ( 24 , 44 ). In African literature, the smartphone was the common technology, followed by television and radio.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 experiences of social isolation and loneliness among older adults in Africa: a scoping review

Wister

Pickering

2023

Front. Public Health

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ObjectiveSocial isolation and loneliness (SI/L) are considered critical public health issues. The primary objective of this scoping review is to document the experience of SI/L among older adults in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, given research gaps in this area. We identified the reasons for SI/L, the effects of SI/L, SI/L coping strategies, and research and policy gaps in SI/L experiences among older adults in Africa during COVID-19.MethodsSix databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Ageline) were used to identify studies reporting the experiences of SI/L among older adults in Africa during the COVID-19 lockdown. We adopted the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).ResultsSocial isolation and loneliness due to COVID-19 in Africa affected older adults' mental, communal, spiritual, financial, and physical health. The use of technology was vital, as was the role of social networks within the family, community, religious groups, and government. Methodological challenges include the risk of selective survival bias, sampling biases, and limited inductive value due to context. Also, lack of large-scale mixed methods longitudinal studies to capture the experiences of older adults during COVID-19. There were essential policy gaps for African mental health support services, media programs, and community care service integration targeting older adults in the era of the COVID-19 lockdown.DiscussionLike in other countries, COVID-19 lockdown policies and the lockdown restrictions primarily caused the experience of SI/L among older adults in Africa. In African countries, they resulted in a severance of older adults from the cultural structure of care for older adults and their familial support systems. Weak government intervention, personal situations, challenges regarding technology, and detachment from daily activities, disproportionately affected older adults in Africa.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 experiences of social isolation and loneliness among older adults in Africa: a scoping review

Wister

Pickering

2023

Front. Public Health

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“…The review process was charted on the Covidence review managing software, and a secure, online spreadsheet editable by all team members and based on the authors’ previous experiences with scoping reviews [e.g., 29 , 38 ]. We independently recorded bibliographic details of each study and extracted data for the reviewed articles.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, other research indicates that rural older adults have higher levels of social capital (i.e., stronger community connectedness), resulting in rich and more satisfying social engagement and support from neighbours and the broader community [e.g., 20 – 22 ]. Additionally, the role of technologies during Covid-19 to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults has been supported, although a focus on rural environments remains under-researched [ 29 ]. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created increases in Si/L for most older adults due to public health behaviours and policies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social isolation and loneliness among older adults living in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

Pickering,

Wister,

O’Dea

et al. 2023

BMC Geriatr

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Background The causes and consequences of social isolation and loneliness of older people living in rural contexts during the COVID-19 pandemic were systematically reviewed to describe patterns, causes and consequences. Methods Using the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) scoping review method, searches were conducted between March and December 2022, 1013 articles were screened and 29 were identified for data extraction. Results Findings were summarized using thematic analysis separated into four major themes: prevalence of social isolation and loneliness; rural-only research; comparative urban-rural research; and technological and other interventions. Core factors for each of these themes describe the experiences of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. We observed that there are interrelationships and some contradictory findings among the themes. Conclusions Social isolation and loneliness are associated with a wide variety of health problems and challenges, highlighting the need for further research. This scoping review systematically identified several important insights into existing knowledge from the experiences of older people living in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, while pointing to pressing knowledge and policy gaps that can be addressed in future research.

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“…15,35 Other reference groups were persons with the least education 33,36 and married people. 13,23,25 Responders were asked: 'How is your health these days?' (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent).…”

Section: Sociodemographic Formmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…10 Accordingly, mental health care with mandated social distancing took form as an expert-driven 'flood of wellness and self-care information' (p.2). 11 Although half or more of older Canadians regularly use the internet, 12,13 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic, very few (4%) had accessed any digital self-care supports. 14 It was later found that the expert-driven mental wellness information flood was not helpful to older people, and it may have even been bewildering as to where and how they could access help tailored to their own experiences and needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mentally healthy living after pandemic social distancing: a study of older Canadians reveals helpful anxiety reduction strategies

Low,

Gutman,

Gao

et al. 2024

Psychogeriatrics

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BackgroundThroughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, older Canadians were the most at risk of severe physical harm, including death, and their return to post‐COVID life was expected to be especially anxiety‐provoking. A study was conducted to obtain nationally representative evidence of older Canadians' self‐perceived anxiety levels and their strategies to manage or mitigate it as public health restrictions were lifting.Materials and MethodsThis study had a cross‐sectional descriptive design. An e‐survey was used to collect data from 1327 Canadians aged 60+ stratified by age, sex, and education to resemble the larger general population. Participants completed the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS‐10) and indicated which of the 16 Centre for Addictions and Mental Health's (2022) Coping with Stress and Anxiety strategies they were using to manage or mitigate their anxiety when social distancing was lifting. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used to explore the data.ResultsWhile, on average, older Canadians were mildly anxious, nearly one‐quarter of responders rated their anxiety as severe. Age, sex, perceived health, were statistically significant correlates of anxiety. Six coping strategies were associated with significantly lower anxiety scores. Moreover, accepting some fear and anxiety as normal, challenging worries and anxious thoughts, and practising relaxation/meditation appeared to increase anxiety.ConclusionOlder Canadians used multiple strategies to manage or mitigate their anxiety, and seemingly, with more successful than detrimental tries. Practitioners have much to learn and understand about older people's mental health promotion efforts after social distancing, now and for future pandemics.

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Technological interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation among community-living older adults: A scoping review

Cited by 10 publications

References 45 publications

COVID-19 experiences of social isolation and loneliness among older adults in Africa: a scoping review

COVID-19 experiences of social isolation and loneliness among older adults in Africa: a scoping review

Social isolation and loneliness among older adults living in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

Mentally healthy living after pandemic social distancing: a study of older Canadians reveals helpful anxiety reduction strategies

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