Social isolation and loneliness in older adults : opportunities for the health care system /

Social isolation and loneliness in older adults : opportunities for the health care system /

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Bibliographic Details
Imprint:Washington, DC : National Academies Press, [2020]
Description:1 online resource (1 PDF file (xviii, 298 pages)) : illustrations
Language:English
Series:Consensus study report
Consensus study report.
Subject:
Loneliness in old age.
Social isolation.
Older people.
Social Isolation.
Aged.
Loneliness.
Health Status.
Older people.
Loneliness in old age.
Loneliness.
Older people -- Attitudes.
Social isolation.
Electronic books.
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/12543402
Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors:National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (U.S.). Committee on the Health and Medical Dimensions of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults, issuing body.
ISBN:9780309671019
0309671019
9780309671033
0309671035
9780309671002
0309671000
Notes:Includes bibliographical references.
This activity was supported by a contract between the National Academy of Sciences and the AARP Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or agency that provided support for the project.
Online resource; title from PDF title page (viewed July 28, 2020).
Summary:Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish.
Other form:Print version: Social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Washington, DC : National Academies Press, [2020] 0309671000 9780309671002
Table of Contents:
  • Contents
  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • Evaluating the Evidence for the Impacts of Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Other Aspects of Social Connection on Mortality
  • Health Impacts of Social Isolation and Loneliness on Morbidity and Quality of Life
  • Risk and Protective Factors for Social Isolation and Loneliness
  • Mediators and Moderators
  • Assessment of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Research
  • Role of the Health Care System
  • Education and Training
  • Interventions
  • Dissemination and Implementation
  • References
  • Appendix A: Public Meeting Agendas
  • Appendix B: Committee and Staff Biographies

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