Alleviating Social Isolation and Loneliness among Older People

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Abstract
Social isolation and loneliness are often perceived as problems of old age. Although a wide range of services have evolved to combat such ‘negative’ experiences, little is known about the effectiveness, acceptability and accessibility of these interventions. We explored the inter-relationship between older people's and practitioners' perceptions of social isolation and loneliness, and their suggestions for effective interventions. Interviews demonstrated a disparity between definitions of loneliness and social isolation, and perceptions of acceptable interventions. Findings suggest that older people employ a range of coping strategies that are not taken into account when services are planned. Many services treat older people as a homogenous group, giving little consideration to the specific needs of those who are isolated and lonely, or to ways to reach them. Activities often evolve to meet the needs of current participants, rather than of the intended target group, excluding those who are truly isolated and lonely. We conclude that there is inequity between the ‘active lonely’ and those most in need in accessing and using services intended for isolated and lonely older people, because of the lack of need sand evidence-based practice.