Christina R Victor1, Isla Rippon1, Sharon M Nelis2, Anthony Martyr2, Rachael Litherland3, James Pickett4, Nicola Hart4, Josie Henley5, Fiona Matthews6, Linda Clare2. 1. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK. 2. REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. 3. Innovations in Dementia, Exeter, UK. 4. Alzheimer's Society, London, UK. 5. Wales Institute for Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. 6. Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence and determinants of loneliness among people living with dementia. METHODS: Using data from the baseline wave of the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study, we examined the prevalence and predictors of loneliness in 1547 people with mild-to-moderate dementia. Loneliness was assessed using the six-item De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale. RESULTS: About 30.1% of people with dementia reported feeling moderately lonely and 5.2% severely lonely. Depressive symptoms and increased risk of social isolation were associated with both moderate and severe loneliness. Those living alone were more likely to experience severe loneliness as were those reporting poorer quality of life. Marital status was not associated with loneliness nor were dementia diagnosis or cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few large-scale studies to explore the prevalence of and determinants of loneliness among people living with dementia. Social isolation, depression and living alone were associated with experiencing loneliness. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the directionality of these associations.
OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence and determinants of loneliness among people living with dementia. METHODS: Using data from the baseline wave of the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study, we examined the prevalence and predictors of loneliness in 1547 people with mild-to-moderate dementia. Loneliness was assessed using the six-item De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale. RESULTS: About 30.1% of people with dementia reported feeling moderately lonely and 5.2% severely lonely. Depressive symptoms and increased risk of social isolation were associated with both moderate and severe loneliness. Those living alone were more likely to experience severe loneliness as were those reporting poorer quality of life. Marital status was not associated with loneliness nor were dementia diagnosis or cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few large-scale studies to explore the prevalence of and determinants of loneliness among people living with dementia. Social isolation, depression and living alone were associated with experiencing loneliness. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the directionality of these associations.
Authors: Claire Waddington; Emma Harding; Emilie V Brotherhood; Ian Davies Abbott; Suzanne Barker; Paul M Camic; Victory Ezeofor; Hannah Gardner; Adetola Grillo; Chris Hardy; Zoe Hoare; Roberta McKee-Jackson; Kirsten Moore; Trish O'Hara; Jennifer Roberts; Samuel Rossi-Harries; Aida Suarez-Gonzalez; Mary Pat Sullivan; Rhiannon Tudor Edwards; Millie Van Der Byl Williams; Jill Walton; Alicia Willoughby; Gill Windle; Eira Winrow; Olivia Wood; Nikki Zimmermann; Sebastian J Crutch; Joshua Stott Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2022-07-20