A Rapid Review of the Detrimental Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Caregivers of Older Adults

Introduction Loneliness is an important concern that negatively impacts individuals aged 60 and older and is seen in 43 percent of Americans within that age group (Donovan & Blazer, 2020; Gerst-Emerson & Jayawardhana, 2015). On the other hand, around 7.7 million people in the United States (US) aged 65 and older reported experiencing social isolation while severe isolation could be seen among 1.3 million people (Donovan & Blazer, 2020). Loneliness and social isolation are well-documented risk factors for poor mental and physical health in late life. To handle these issues, and other aging related challenges, elders often rely on their family for support. In fact, an estimated 41 million Americans are providing informal family caregiving. However, this comes at a cost as informal family caregiving for older adults has been found to detrimentally impact mental and physical health. Many caregivers are under the stress of tending to their loved ones as well as handling other responsibilities in their lives. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the effects of loneliness not only among older adults, but also among caregivers. Although, caregiver burden has been linked to loneliness to date, no systematic review has explored this link. As such the current review seeks to explore the harmful impact associated with loneliness and social isolation among caregivers of older adults in an effort to increase awareness and understanding. Methods For this rapid review, source documents were identified through a computerized search using APA PsycInfo and Google Scholar bibliographical databases covering the years 2000 to 2020. The following keywords and combinations of these were used: “caregiving,” “caregiver,” “older adults,” “loneliness,” “social isolation,” and “health effects.” Relevant exclusion criteria were applied (i.e. children and young adults) and all English-language journal articles relating to the area of study were read. Results After a comprehensive review, 12 articles met the inclusion criteria. Loneliness was associated with worse physical health, less physical activity, increased health visits, and social isolation as indicated by three articles in our review. Three articles discussed the influences and factors related to loneliness and social isolation while one article also assessed health behaviors in relation to loneliness and social isolation. Additionally, higher levels of loneliness were associated with older age, female gender, being unmarried, low socioeconomic status, and holding an ethnic minority identity. A total of five articles evaluated the impact of loneliness on either physical or psychological health or both. Within informal caregivers, loneliness was linked to decreased and dissatisfaction with social interactions, helplessness, and changes in usual routines or in the health status of their loved ones. Caregivers also experience increased stress and depressive/anxious symptoms and decreased subjective well-being and self-efficacy. Loneliness is considered to be the most central aspect in predicting low quality of life within caregivers. Conclusions Loneliness and social isolation are important matters to assess in older adults and caregivers due to their harmful impact on both physical and psychological wellbeing. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically changed the daily routine for individuals across the world. Vulnerable individuals, such as older adults and those with weakened immune systems and chronic conditions, are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. The US and government health agencies have implemented recommendations for social distancing. However, the relationship between the social isolation of older adults and their self-reported experiences of loneliness leads researchers to worry that the impact of social distancing is exacerbating these older adults’ experiences of loneliness. Although measures of social distancing are necessary to decrease risks of COVID-19 infection, it is critical to assess the current effects among older adults and their caregivers. Furthermore, additional research must be conducted in reference to the effects of loneliness among caregivers and on the consequences of loneliness in older adults as the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine period continues. In order to implement possible interventions and better mitigate the rising rates of loneliness experienced by older adults and their caregivers, this topic needs to be thoroughly explored so the associated health consequences can be better understood and prepared for. Funding Not applicable.