Older Adults’ Loneliness in Early COVID-19 Social Distancing: Implications of Rurality

Abstract

Objectives Older adults face greater health risks due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), yet preventative social distancing measures may cause increased social isolation, potentially heightening risk of loneliness. In this mixed-methods study we examine changes in older adults’ loneliness due to social distancing, explore variability in perceptions, and identify whether such changes differ by rurality. Methods A Midwestern sample of 76 older adults aged 70–97 (mean age = 82; 74% female; 95% White; 39% rural) completed a phone interview about their experiences with social distancing due to COVID-19. Interviews were conducted during early weeks of regional social distancing. Participants completed retrospective and current assessments of loneliness, including providing explanations of their responses. Results On average, loneliness increased during early social distancing, yet variability was evident. Those experiencing increased loneliness described a feeling of loss or lack of control, whereas those experiencing stability in loneliness identified adaptability in social connection modes or feeling accustomed to social isolation. Rural older adults experienced a significantly smaller increase in loneliness than their nonrural counterparts. Discussion These findings suggest nuanced experiences among older adults, but generally negative implications for loneliness. Interventions to address older adults’ social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19 are warranted.

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“…Other studies utilize data collected through existing surveillance designs, such as the Understanding America Study. Still others designed COVID-19-specific studies such as the Fuller and Huseth-Zosel (2021) study of older adults in the urban and rural regions of the Midwest United States. These studies cover a broad range of topics such as the economic precarity due to furloughs and job loss ( Abrams et al, 2021 ; Choi et al, 2020 ; Taylor et al, 2021 ), loss of loved ones to the COVID-19 virus ( Lin & Liu, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2021 ), and downstream impact of extended loneliness and isolation ( Freedman et al, 2021 ; Robbins et al, 2021 ).…”