Louisa W Holaday1,2,3, Carol R Oladele4,5, Samuel M Miller2,6, Maria I Dueñas1,7, Brita Roy4,8, Joseph S Ross2,4,9,10. 1. Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA. 2. National Clinician Scholars Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 3. VA Connecticut Healthcare System-West Haven Campus, West Haven, Connecticut, USA. 4. Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 5. Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC), Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 6. Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 7. Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, UCLA Medical School, Los Angeles, California, USA. 8. Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 9. Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. 10. Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Public health measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic have led to feelings of loneliness among older adults, which, prior to COVID, has been associated with subsequent morbidity and mortality. We sought to identify differences in feelings of loneliness, sadness, and social disconnection early in the pandemic across racial groups, and possible mitigating factors. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using the weighted nationally-representative Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey COVID-19 supplement, collected summer 2020. We included all Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older who did not respond by proxy. We examined changes in loneliness, sadness, or feelings of social disconnection. Multivariable logistic regression models accounted for sociodemographic variables, access to primary care and the internet, and history of depression or dementia. RESULTS: Among 8125 beneficiaries, representative of 43.7 million Medicare beneficiaries, 22.6% reported loneliness or sadness, and 37.1% feeling socially disconnected. In fully-adjusted models, Hispanic/Latinx beneficiaries were most likely to report loneliness or sadness (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.02-1.65; p = 0.02) and Black beneficiaries were least likely to report feeling socially disconnected (OR = 0.55; CI: 0.42-0.73; p < 0.001). Internet access was associated with increased odds of both (OR = 1.29, 95 CI: 1.07-1.56; p = 0.009; and OR = 1.42, 95 CI: 1.24-1.63; p < 0.001, respectively). Access to primary care was associated with lower odds of both (OR = 0.77, 95 CI: 0.61-0.96; p = 0.02; and OR = 0.72, 95 CI: 0.61-0.87; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness, sadness, and feelings of social disconnection were common among older Medicare beneficiaries early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences by race/ethnicity may be driven by different living structures and social networks, and warrant further study. Policy makers and clinicians should consider facilitating connection by phone or in person, as internet access did not diminish feelings of loneliness, particularly for those living alone. Access to primary care, and tools for clinicians to address loneliness should be prioritized.
BACKGROUND: Public health measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic have led to feelings of loneliness among older adults, which, prior to COVID, has been associated with subsequent morbidity and mortality. We sought to identify differences in feelings of loneliness, sadness, and social disconnection early in the pandemic across racial groups, and possible mitigating factors. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using the weighted nationally-representative Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey COVID-19 supplement, collected summer 2020. We included all Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older who did not respond by proxy. We examined changes in loneliness, sadness, or feelings of social disconnection. Multivariable logistic regression models accounted for sociodemographic variables, access to primary care and the internet, and history of depression or dementia. RESULTS: Among 8125 beneficiaries, representative of 43.7 million Medicare beneficiaries, 22.6% reported loneliness or sadness, and 37.1% feeling socially disconnected. In fully-adjusted models, Hispanic/Latinx beneficiaries were most likely to report loneliness or sadness (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.02-1.65; p = 0.02) and Black beneficiaries were least likely to report feeling socially disconnected (OR = 0.55; CI: 0.42-0.73; p < 0.001). Internet access was associated with increased odds of both (OR = 1.29, 95 CI: 1.07-1.56; p = 0.009; and OR = 1.42, 95 CI: 1.24-1.63; p < 0.001, respectively). Access to primary care was associated with lower odds of both (OR = 0.77, 95 CI: 0.61-0.96; p = 0.02; and OR = 0.72, 95 CI: 0.61-0.87; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness, sadness, and feelings of social disconnection were common among older Medicare beneficiaries early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences by race/ethnicity may be driven by different living structures and social networks, and warrant further study. Policy makers and clinicians should consider facilitating connection by phone or in person, as internet access did not diminish feelings of loneliness, particularly for those living alone. Access to primary care, and tools for clinicians to address loneliness should be prioritized.
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