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Exploring social connectedness in older Australians with chronic conditions: Results of a descriptive survey
 

Exploring social connectedness in older Australians with chronic conditions: Results of a descriptive survey

Elizabeth Halcomb, Cristina Thompson, Sarah Tillott, Karin Robinson Elizabeth Lucas
Collegian (Royal College of Nursing, Australia), Vol.29(6), pp.860-866
01/12/2022
: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2022.05.011
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Life Sciences & Biomedicine Nursing Science & Technology
Background: Loneliness and social isolation have serious health consequences. Understanding the causes and extent of social isolation and loneliness for high-risk groups can inform interventions to address this critical issue.Aim: This study sought to explore the extent of loneliness and social isolation among older people with complex chronic conditions, and investigate their perceptions of their health, well-being and social con-nections.Methods: A survey was disseminated between November 2020 and January 2021 via mail to people enrolled in a chronic disease management program in a regional Australian community.Findings: Among the 85 respondents, the median number of chronic conditions was four. The most prob-lematic activity was engagement with usual activities, with 26.2% reporting severe or extreme problems. More than half of respondents (55.9%) had moderate, severe or extreme challenges with mobility. Only 9.5% of respondents described having no pain or discomfort. Despite relatively low levels of loneliness, some respondents still lacked companionship, felt left out and isolated from others. Only 26.7% of respon-dents demonstrated high levels of social connection despite having people to help if needed or people to socialise with.Conclusions: Older people are already at risk of loneliness and social isolation because of their life stage. This study demonstrates that those with chronic conditions experience reduced social connections related to restrictions in mobility and access to social networks due to their health. Study findings also empha-sised the impact of pain and lack of mobility on the ability of older people to engage in both everyday and social activities. Supporting older people with chronic conditions to engage with others to reduce loneliness and social isolation represents an opportunity to enhance health outcomes and quality of life, preventing chronic loneliness and depression.(c) 2022 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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