Research highlights increased loneliness in lockdowns over the seventies

A collaborative report published by researchers from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) and ALONE investigates the issues of loneliness and social isolation in the elderly. This report provides fresh insights into the experiences of people over 70 years old who were recommended to “cocoon” as part of public health measures to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. ALONE’s new data recording increased loneliness, anxiety, and isolation among older people across the pandemic are compared to older people’s experience of loneliness and isolation prior to the onset of COVID-19.

Earlier research in this area has shown that strong social connections Mental distress, Cognitive decline, and DisabilityLonely and social isolation can harm physical and psychological health. Both loneliness and social isolation are strongly associated with poor quality of life and other measures of well-being.

According to the TILDA survey, healthHabits and experiences Senior citizens Living in Ireland through a long-term study, we will explore a variety of key areas that affect older people, including physical and mental health, as well as economic and social factors. The TILDA study highlights the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in a nationally representative survey of participants that provides clear insights into the experience of the elderly.

What does Tilda’s study show before the pandemic?

• Over 70% of TILDA participants report no or little loneliness. While less than 25% may feel lonely, 5% report frequent loneliness.
• Of those who live alone, 31% are rarely lonely, 32% can be lonely, and 37% are often lonely.
• Of those living with others, 49% have the least loneliness, 30% sometimes, and 21% often loneliness.
• Researchers have pointed out that most older people are not lonely and often appear to be very resilient, but ALONE’s helpline data are from COVID-19. Pandemic The elderly were sacrificed.

The rise of loneliness in a pandemic

Measures introduced to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, such as physical distance and self-separation, are especially related to the creation of “cocoons” over the age of 70 and social interactions with daily life and friends and family. Affected people who interfered with. Following the outbreak of the virus, ALONE’s support and telephone friendship service was continued remotely by volunteers calling and sending regular texts to seniors with health and well-being tips and practical support. .. Almost 500 smartphones were distributed to older people with limited means of social interaction. With the increasing demand for assistance, ALONE has established a dedicated telephone line to provide assistance and services to vulnerable seniors who may have been needed. ALONE report data show that older people are more lonely and isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What does the ALONE study show?

• ALONE Nationwide Support Line received 26,174 calls from March 9, 2020 to July 5, 2020.
• Fifty-five percent of the callers are from the age of 70 and over, and the cohort recommended “cocoon”.
• 75% of callers to the helpline lived alone.
• The number of people who postpone treatment or screening, including after a fall, is increasing.
• ALONE has seen an increasing number of callers reporting negative emotions, including suicidal ideation during a pandemic.
• Callers most often request support for their physical health, friendship, and mental and mental health needs.

The data emphasizes that public health measures such as social distance and cocoons to control the spread of the virus increase the level of loneliness and social isolation among older people. This can have a negative impact on the well-being of older people and suggests that public policies need to be developed to ensure that these issues are addressed. Researchers suspect that the current means of physical distance and social isolation are most strongly felt by those who rely on community and church-based social participation and engagement.

A future research project led by TILDA in collaboration with ALONE will investigate and document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and general health of the elderly.

“We are very pleased to hear that,” said TILDA’s Principal Investigator, Professor Rose Ankeny. “This ALONE and TILDA joint report provides a unique perspective on how older people were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emphasizing the resilience of older people in an ever-changing world. The world has witnessed how older people are affected by pandemics, ALONE’s study provides the forefront evidence of true public health measures for older people. People with increasing loneliness, anxiety, and isolation, the effects of a pandemic are currently being studied in the TILDA cohort and will be reported later this year, making COVID-19 lonely. Social isolation, And the field of policy intervention. “

Sean Moynihan, Chief executive officer “Alone’s coordinated national response to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to quickly respond to emerging concerns and existing issues from the elderly. The existence of this virus throughout society. So, the existing problems are getting more solidified, and some older people are even more marginalized. isolation Experienced from cocoons. We have set up a lonely task force and are ready to protect older people now and in the future. Society needs to understand it Loneliness It can happen to anyone and can impair both your physical and mental health. It’s disastrous, and we want to work to break this prejudice. It’s important to remember that as Ireland’s population ages, thousands of elderly people make up all the proportions. ”