Going Forward as a Community: Assessment and Person-Centered Strategies for Reducing Impacts of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Nursing Homes

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the entire world, especially the worlds of the elderly. Although loneliness and isolation have been an ongoing problem with our nation's elders, the pandemic magnified this problem. Approximately 24% of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated and 43% of adults aged 60 and older report feeling lonely. One study found that loneliness is even more common in long-term care facilities, at least double of that of community dwelling populations. Social isolation and loneliness are strongly associated with a greater incidence of major psychological, cognitive, and physical morbidities and lower perceived well-being or quality of life. Social connection is also strongly linked to depression and anxiety. Substantial evidence links social isolation and loneliness with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults and an increased risk of incident dementia. Evidence from brain imaging studies show that lonely adults are found to lose more brain volume over time and have less volume than non-lonely adults. The negative impact of social isolation and loneliness was observed even more during the pandemic increasing mental health and physical problems in many of the elderly. However, there was a subpopulation of nursing home patients, residents with dementia with agitation and residents with psychosis, who had a reduction in mental health problems due to the quarantine. Furthermore, although the pandemic and subsequent loneliness caused many negative impacts to the elderly population, many seniors also showed significant strength and resilience at a greater level than younger people. This presentation will focus on the negative impacts of loneliness but also the characteristics of the elderly population that allowed them to cope with the pandemic with strength and resiliency. The presenters will use specific case studies of residents to show their lives and mental health were impacted.