The Open Geriatric Medicine Journal

2013, 4 : 01-10
Published online 2013 January 15. DOI: 10.2174/1874827901306010001
Publisher ID: TOGERIMJ-6-1

Loneliness Among Older People: Results from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care - Blekinge

Elin Taube , Jimmie Kristensson , Patrik Midlöv , Midlöv Holst and Ulf Jakobsson
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, P.O Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To investigate the prevalence and predictors of loneliness in older people (aged 78+) over a sixyear period.

Methods:

The sample (n=828) was drawn from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care and the respondents were followed up at three and six years. Data were collected by means of structural interviews with supplementary questionnaires.

Results:

Half of the respondents reported that they felt lonely sometimes or more often. Women, widows/-ers living alone were more prone to report loneliness. Both independent associated factors and predictors were identified showing that loneliness is associated with and predicted by both physical and psychosocial outcomes.

Discussion:

Loneliness is common among older people and seems to be a steady state affected mainly by psychological and psychosocial factors such as personality, satisfaction with life, risk of depression, lack of friends and loss of spouse. Psychosocial interventions targeting emotional loneliness and social isolation are suggested.

Keywords:

Aged, health, loneliness, predictors, psychosocial aspects.