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Changes in social engagement and depression predict incident loneliness among seriously ill home care clients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2017

Samantha Fernandes ,
Jacob G.S. Davidson  and
Dawn M. Guthrie
Samantha Fernandes*
Affiliation:
Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jacob G.S. Davidson
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Dawn M. Guthrie
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Samantha Fernandes, Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada. E-mail: sr.fernandes@mail.utoronto.ca.
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Abstract

Objective:

This study identified the predictors of incident loneliness in a group of seriously ill older adults (aged 65+) receiving home care.

Method:

Existing data collected with the Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care (RAI–HC) were utilized. A cohort of clients (N = 2,499) with two RAI–HC assessments and no self-reported loneliness at time 1 were included. Self-reported loneliness, upon reassessment, was the outcome of interest. Clients with a prognosis of less than six months or severe health instability were included.

Results:

The average length of time between assessments was 5.9 months (standard deviation = 4.10). During that time, 7.8% (n = 181) of the sample developed loneliness. In a multivariate regression model, worsening symptoms of depression, a decline in social activities, and not living with a primary caregiver all increased the risk of loneliness.

Significance of results:

These results highlight how changes in psychosocial factors over time can contribute to loneliness, which can inform clinicians as they seek to identify those who may be at risk for loneliness.

Keywords

LonelinessHome carePalliative careOlder adultsRAI–HC
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , April 2018 , pp. 170 - 179
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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