Abstract
Background: The past year has severely curtailed social interactions among older adults given their high rates of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This study examined social, behavioral, and medical correlates of social isolation among community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and stratified findings to explore unique differences in two typically neglected populations, African American and Hispanic older adults.Methods: Working with community-based organizations and senior living centers, the research team administered a survey to older adults 55 years of age and older (n = 575). The survey assessed COVID-19 prevention behaviors, medical conditions, and lived experiences, including feelings of social isolation, in the target population. Responses to a previously validated social isolation question informed a dichotomous social isolation dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for sociodemographic characteristics, medical conditions, unmet caregiving needs, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Results from the regression model were stratified by race/ethnicity to examine correlates of social isolation in African American and Hispanic older adults, separately.Results: Overall, female sex and a higher level of education were also positively associated with social isolation (OR = 2.46, p = 0.04; OR = 5.49, p = 0.02) while having insurance exhibited an inverse relationship (OR = 0.25, p = 0.03). Unmet caregiving needs were strongly associated with social isolation (OR = 6.41, p < 0.001) as was having any chronic conditions (OR = 2.99, p = 0.02). Diabetes was the single strongest chronic condition predictor of social isolation. Among minority older adults, a different pattern emerged. For Hispanic older adults, language, unmet caregiving needs, and social distancing were strongly associated with social isolation; while unmet caregiving needs, having 1+ chronic conditions and adhering to social distancing guidelines were significant predictors in African American older adults.Conclusion: These findings suggest that social isolation affects older adults in a myriad of ways and support the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to mitigate the effect of social isolation in these vulnerable populations.
Highlights
Remaining connected in an era of social distancing is paramount to maintaining health and well-being when life as we know it has been upended, daily routines and activities canceled, and generations of families have been separated to protect the health of those most vulnerable
This study examines social, behavioral, and medical correlates of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults living in a large metropolitan area
Over half of respondents had tested positive for COVID-19 or had a close family member who had tested positive in the past month
Summary
Remaining connected in an era of social distancing is paramount to maintaining health and well-being when life as we know it has been upended, daily routines and activities canceled, and generations of families have been separated to protect the health of those most vulnerable. Since the onset of COVID19, social connections and engagement with older adults have been severely curtailed given the very high rates of COVID-19 morbidity/mortality in this population. Recent statistics in the U.S illustrate this with ∼75% of all adults hospitalized for COVID-19 being at least 50 years old, and more than 80% of COVID-19 fatalities among those aged 65 years and older [2, 3]. While preventive and management measures are important to mitigate the spread of COVID19, strategies like social distancing can have devastating effects on older adults who are already at risk for social isolation and loneliness. Older adults living alone are more likely to be poor, especially with advancing age, and to report feelings of loneliness (60% of those 75+) and isolation [4]. The past year has severely curtailed social interactions among older adults given their high rates of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This study examined social, behavioral, and medical correlates of social isolation among community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and stratified findings to explore unique differences in two typically neglected populations, African American and Hispanic older adults
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