Loneliness Among Cognitively Intact Residents of Nursing Homes With and Without Cancer: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Limited information exists regarding the natural development of loneliness and its determinants among cognitively intact nursing home residents. We aimed to examine loneliness among nursing home residents by following up for 6 years and to determine whether sociodemographic factors, diagnosis of cancer, sense of coherence, social support, and depression symptoms influence loneliness. The study was longitudinal and prospective and included baseline assessment and 6-year follow-up. After baseline assessment of 227 cognitively intact nursing home residents (Clinical Dementia Rating score 0.5), 52 respondents were interviewed a second time at the 5-year follow-up and 18 respondents a third time at the 6-year follow-up. Data from the interviews were recorded using a global question of loneliness, the Social Provisions Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Scores on Groll's index (p ¼ .02) and the Sense of Coherence Scale (p ¼ .04) were positively correlated with loneliness and negatively correlated with geriatric depression (p ¼ .001). Having a diagnosis of cancer, social support, and age were not correlated with loneliness 6 years from baseline. Loneliness did not change during the 6 years of follow-up, and symptoms of depression and the sense of coherence appeared to be important components of loneliness. Finally, having a diagnosis of cancer and social support were not associated with loneliness.

Exploring the Holistic Needs of People Living with Cancer in Care Homes: An Integrative Review

“…Following screening of title and abstracts, 30 full-text papers were reviewed. Following full-text review, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. The PRISMA flow chart summarizes the above process (Figure 1).…”

“…Of the twenty studies included in the review, fourteen were rated as having strong methodological rigor [20,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] and six as having moderate methodological rigor [19,[21][22][23][24]38], as assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist (2020). Table 1 provides an overview of the characteristics of the included studies.…”

“…Norway [26] To examine loneliness among nursing home residents over 6 years and whether sociodemographic factors, sense of coherence, social support, or depression symptoms might influence loneliness.…”

“…Although depression and anxiety are significant emotional needs, important social needs were also identified. In particular, loneliness is a common concern among people living with cancer who reside in care homes [26]. Studies have indicated that 57% of cognitively intact care home residents with cancer report feeling lonely [23].…”

Prevalence of Loneliness in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

“…Among residents of nursing homes, prevalence measured in Singapore, Norway, and China, ranged from 27.6% to 59.6% [26][27][28]. Te ethnic minorities are only studied in one research (Chinese in Chicago) and show a prevalence of loneliness of 25.8% [29].…”