Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Why Proper Conceptualization Matters

Abstract

The problems of social isolation and loneliness in older adults have been widely researched but there are still issues regarding their conceptualizations and use in academic research. The terms social isolation and loneliness have often been used interchangeably in research, but evidence suggests they are not the same and sometimes have different implications for health outcomes in older adults. This paper attempts to highlight why proper conceptualization of these terms in research is important.