Objectives
Evaluate objective isolation and loneliness’ impact on Medicare spending and outcomes.
Methods
We linked Health and Retirement Study data to Medicare claims to analyze objective isolation (scaled composite of social contacts and network) and loneliness (positive response to 3-item loneliness scale) as predictors of subsequent Medicare spending. In multivariable regression adjusting for health and demographics, we determined marginal differences in Medicare expenditures. Secondary outcomes included spending by setting, and mortality.
Results
Objective isolation predicts greater spending, $1,644(p<0.001) per beneficiary annually, whereas loneliness predicts reduced spending, −$768(p<0.001). Increased spending concentrated in inpatient and nursing-home (SNF) care; despite more healthcare, objectively isolated beneficiaries had 31%(p<0.001) greater risk of death. Loneliness did not predict SNF use nor mortality, but predicted slightly less inpatient and outpatient care.
Conclusions
Objectively isolated seniors have higher Medicare spending, driven by increased hospitalization and institutionalization, and face greater mortality. Policies supporting social connectedness could reap significant savings.
20% off Sunday through Thursday and 10% off Friday and Saturday, plus a $10-per-day physical damage waiver. Visit website for full offer details. 5% off leisure daily, weekly, weekend, and monthly base rates, plus a free upgrade on compact through full-size car class bookings. * * Subject to availability.
20% off Sunday through Thursday and 10% off Friday and Saturday, plus a $10-per-day physical damage waiver. Visit website for full offer details. 5% off leisure daily, weekly, weekend, and monthly base rates, plus a free upgrade on compact through full-size car class bookings. * * Subject to availability.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.