The Impact of Loneliness on Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction Among Older, Sicker Adults

Abstract

Objective: This study estimated prevalence rates of loneliness, identified characteristics associated with loneliness, and estimated the impact of loneliness on quality of life (QOL) and patient satisfaction. Method: Surveys were mailed to 15,500 adults eligible for care management programs. Loneliness was measured using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) three-item scale, and QOL using Veteran’s RAND 12-item (VR-12) survey. Patient satisfaction was measured on a 10-point scale. Propensity weighted multivariate regression models were utilized to determine characteristics associated with loneliness as well as the impact of loneliness on QOL and patient satisfaction. Results: Among survey respondents (N = 3,765), 28% reported severe and 27% moderate loneliness. The strongest predictor of loneliness was depression. Physical and mental health components of QOL were significantly reduced by loneliness. Severe loneliness was associated with reduced patient satisfaction. Discussion: Almost 55% of these adults experienced loneliness, negatively affecting their QOL and satisfaction with medical services. Screening for loneliness may be warranted.

A Practical Approach to Assessing and Mitigating Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults

“…Although the IOM report focused on measures of social connection and isolation, loneliness was considered a subcomponent of these measures, and several different measures of loneliness have been used to establish its relevance to health and risk for mortality. Loneliness may be easily identified using the UCLA three‐item loneliness scale (Supplementary Table S1) . Efforts are underway to incorporate this loneliness screen into EHRs.…”

“…Loneliness may be easily identified using the UCLA three-item loneliness scale ( Supplementary Table S1). 26,31,36,46,[51][52][53][54] Efforts are underway to incorporate this loneliness screen into EHRs. For example, Caremore, United, and Cigna each have made efforts to screen for loneliness.…”

The longitudinal association of multimorbidity on loneliness and network size: Findings from a population‐based study

“…While loneliness can be described as the subjective negative feeling that one's social network is smaller and of poorer quality than desired, 1 size reflects one aspect of the social network that can also be characterized by its density, accessibility, and reciprocity. 3,4 From an economic perspective, loneliness is associated with increased health care utilization and hence expenditures. 2 Loneliness has a negative impact on those affected.…”

Loneliness Kills: Can Autonomous Systems and Robotics Assist in Providing Solutions?

“…Loneliness is linked to risk of an earlier death [1,7] depression [8], dementia [9] and poor self-rated health [10]. Many factors have been identified that increase the risk of social isolation among the elderly, including physical or mental decline, relationship factors and low income.…”