Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Intro and Summary

Course overview

This course is based on material published by the National Academies Press and is available as an open-access article. Human beings are social by nature, and high-quality social relationships are vital for health and well-being. However, like many other social determinants of health, social isolation (an objective lack of social contact with others) and loneliness (the subjective feeling of being isolated) are significant yet underappreciated public health risks. Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes, including higher mortality rates, depression, and cognitive decline. Recent research documents the high prevalence of social isolation and loneliness among older adults. This course includes part of a more extensive report. Specifically, it is an introduction and summary of an extensive report on social isolation and loneliness in older adults. This introduction and summary course on social isolation and loneliness in older adults is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to work with older adults. The course material includes interventions, research, and theory. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. The course is based on an extensive research report. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading research-based articles for continuing education is that they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field and contribute to evidence-based practice. Authors: National Academies Press Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with an introduction and summary on social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Specifically, a professional will: Describe the relationship between social isolation and an increased risk of premature mortality. Summarize the evidence for how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults 50 years old or more. Identify key aspects of social relationships. Identify recommendations to address social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Citation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2020. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Summary and Chapter 1 https://doi.org/10.17226/25663.