Loneliness in aged care: what's the solution?

A new approach to tackling loneliness in aged care is being pioneered by Silverchain and Federation University Australia.

A study published in PLOS One (2021) titled ‘Prevalence of loneliness amongst older people in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis,’ estimated that the prevalence of loneliness among older people in countries like Australia is 28%.

In an effort to find a solution to this issue, a PhD candidate will work closely with expert researchers and practitioners, co-supervised by Federation University and Silverchain. Embedded within Silverchain, the research will deliver practical, implementable solutions that can improve the quality of life for older Australians receiving care at home.

Silverchain’s Director of Research Discovery, Adjunct Professor Tanya Davison, said loneliness is considered an epidemic and a major public health risk.

“While this analysis from PLOS One focuses on older adults in general, risk factors for loneliness — such as partner loss, a limited social network or social activity, poor perceived health and depressed mood — are often heightened among people accessing in-home aged care. This emphasises the need for targeted research and intervention for this vulnerable group,” Davison said.

“Silverchain has already invested in developing a unique support program, called Enhanced Management of Home-Based Elders with Depression, which aims to reduce symptoms of depression in older Australians receiving in home care.

“This PhD, made possible by Silverchain Foundation, represents an exciting opportunity to combine academic excellence with practical innovation, and make a real difference in the lives of older Australians.”

Federation University’s Distinguished Professor, Colette Browning, said while there is increasing awareness of the problem of loneliness in general, the specific needs of the in-home aged care population have received little attention from policymakers to date.

“It is therefore crucial to explore innovative strategies to mitigate loneliness and enhance mental health. This partnership allows us to develop evidence-based interventions that can be widely implemented across the aged care system,” she said.

A series of studies will be conducted to explore loneliness among in-home aged care clients, aiming to develop scalable solutions to enhance their mental health and wellbeing.

Image courtesy of Silverchain.