Social Isolation in Older Adults: Systematic Review

Level of Education of Students Involved

Graduate

Faculty Sponsor

Sara Story

College

Nursing

Discipline(s)

Occupational Therapy

ORCID Identifier(s)

0009-0003-2820-1680; 0009-0005-1631-7170; 0009-0008-6902-9772

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-25-2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Social isolation in older adults can lead to multiple negative health implications, including a higher chance of developing dementia, increased rates of depression and anxiety, and premature death from all causes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). The rate of older adults experiencing social isolation has grown since the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic (National Council on Aging, 2021).

OBJECTIVE. This systematic review aimed to review and analyze interventions and strategies that occupational therapy practitioners can utilize to decrease social isolation in community-dwelling older adults.

DATA SOURCES. A systematic review of the literature from 2013-2023 was conducted utilizing the Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, and Medline databases.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION. Studies addressing occupational therapy interventions to decrease social isolation among individuals aged 65 and older living in the community were included. Articles were assessed through a literature review, examination of inclusion and exclusion criteria, quality, relevance, and risk of bias, all of which were reviewed by the authors.

RESULTS. Fourteen articles were selected for inclusion. The systematic review yielded fair evidence for outcomes and effectiveness of organizational and interprofessional services, perspectives on time alone, loneliness and isolation, and community programming relating to interventions to decrease social isolation in community-dwelling older adults.

CONCLUSION. Results from this review demonstrate that occupational therapy can have a role in decreasing or eliminating social isolation in community-dwelling older adults through the components of community programming, observing perspectives regarding time alone, occupational identification, and interprofessional services. Limitations will be discussed.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Dr. Story is an occupational therapist with a background in productive aging and mental health and currently serves as the faculty guiding the systematic review process in the OTD program.

Maria and Peyton are both first-year students in the OTD program. They are working as a research team, focusing on occupational therapy interventions to prevent social isolation in older adults.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS