Assessing Social Isolation: Pilot Testing Different Methods

Abstract

Social isolation is a significant public health problem among many older adults; however, most of the empirical knowledge about isolation derives from community-based samples. There has been less attention given to isolation in senior housing communities. The objectives of this pilot study were to test two methods to identify socially isolated residents in low-income senior housing and compare findings about the extent of isolation from these two methods. The first method, self-report by residents, included 47 out of 135 residents who completed in-person interviews. To determine self-report isolation, residents completed the Lubben Social Network Scale 6 (LSNS-6). The second method involved a staff member who reported the extent of isolation on all 135 residents via an online survey. Results indicated that 26% of residents who were interviewed were deemed socially isolated by the LSNS-6. Staff members rated 12% of residents as having some or a lot of isolation. In comparing the two methods, staff members rated 2% of interviewed residents as having a lot of isolation. The combination of self-report and staff report could be more informative than just self-report alone, particularly when participation rates are low. However, researchers should be aware of the potential discrepancy between these two methods.

Falls and Social Isolation of Older Adults in the National Health and Aging Trends Study

“…The prevalence of social isolation among the participants in this study ranged over the rounds from 21.23% -24.05%. This range is in the center of previously reported social isolation prevalence, from 2% -43% Taylor, Herbers, Talisman, & Morrow-Howell, 2016;. The large variation in previous prevalence reports may have been due to differences in definition of social isolation, measurement and/or underreporting.…”

Loneliness in senior housing communities

“…These rates are high in comparison to samples of older adults mostly residing in conventional homes/apartments, including Ong and colleagues (2015) and Hawkley and colleagues (2017) findings that 19-29% of older adults are lonely. These findings suggest that loneliness is more pervasive in senior housing communities, despite the fact that these older adults are living in a building with their peers, have a congregate meeting space, have support from senior housing management, have occasional programs and activities, and frequently have access to local public transportation (Taylor et al, 2016; Dupuis-Blanchard, Neufeld, & Strang, 2009).…”

“…Loneliness was measured using the Hughes 3 item loneliness scale (Hughes et al, 2004), which has been used to study loneliness among older adults (Perissinotto et al, 2012; Hawkley et al, 2017; Shiovitz-Ezra & Leitsch, 2010; Taylor, Herbers, Talisman, Morrow-Howell, 2016; Shankar et al, 2011). Concurrent and discriminant validity have been established.…”

“…It would seem that loneliness could be significantly lower in these senior housing complexes. This assumption, although not substantiated, stems from the fact that residents are embedded in communities with peers, there are occasional activities and support from senior housing management, there is common space to meet, and often the buildings are close to public transportation (Taylor et al, 2016, Dupuis-Blanchard, Neufeld, & Strang, 2009).…”

Loneliness of older black South African women subjected to forcible relocation

“…Social contexts are relevant for loneliness in terms of the discrepancy between what individuals desire in a personal network of relationships and what they experience [16,17]. The validity of such views of loneliness has been proven robust over almost 30 years of research, mostly in Western societies [18][19][20]. Research also provides evidence that social relationships can help people navigate the challenging life circumstances that accompany later life [16,[21][22][23].…”