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Symposium

Social Research, Policy, and Practice

Measuring National Trends in Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults and Their Caregivers

Thursday, November 14, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Location: Room 201
CE: 1.5

Social isolation and loneliness have negative implications for the health and care of older adults. Few studies have examined longitudinal patterns of social isolation and loneliness among older adults, or how these experiences are shared by caregivers and personal care networks. This research symposium uses various survey data methods to highlight trends in social isolation, loneliness, and care isolation among older adults and their caregivers. First, we report on trends in social isolation and loneliness over time. Leveraging six waves of data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam (LASA), Dr. Mehrabi describes the temporal sequence of social isolation, loneliness, and frailty across 21 years among a national sample of older adults from the Netherlands. Dr. Umoh uses the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) to describe trends in intermittent and persistent social isolation among older Americans between 2011–2021. Next, we examine social isolation and loneliness in the context of caregiving. Dr. Clair reports on personal care networks and care isolation among family and friends caring for older adults with Type II diabetes. Dr. Qian uses the National Study on Caregiving (NSOC) to examine prevalence and correlates of social isolation and loneliness among family and unpaid caregivers of older adults. Dr. Pomeroy concludes the session with a discussion of the strengths and challenges of using national survey data to measure social isolation, offering methodological strategies for handling missing data and proxy reports for persons with dementia. Dr. Ornstein, as discussant, synthesizes the implications for policy, practice, and future research.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the sequence and dynamics of social isolation and loneliness among older adults over time.
  • Gain familiarity with the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness among caregivers of older adults.
  • Identify challenges and strategies in using national survey data to measure social isolation and loneliness.

Presentations:

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    The Temporal Sequence of Frailty, Social Isolation, and Loneliness in Older Adults Across 21 Years

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Fereshteh Mehrabi, PhD (she/her/hers) – Concordia University

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Dynamics of Social Isolation in a National Sample of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Mfon Umoh, MD PhD (she/her/hers) – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Isolated Versus Supported: The Personal Health Care Networks of Older Adults Living With Type 2 Diabetes

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Catherine Clair, MHS, PhD(c) (she/her/hers) – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    The Epidemiology of Social Isolation and Loneliness of Family and Unpaid Caregivers of Older Adults

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Yiqing Qian, PhD, MPH (she/her/hers) – Johns Hopkins University

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Measuring Social Isolation Among Older Adults With Dementia: Trends, Challenges, and Next Steps

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Mary Louise Pomeroy, PhD, MPH (she/her/hers) – Johns Hopkins University