Predictors and Correlates of Loneliness and Social Isolation in People With Dementia: Longitudinal Findings From the IDEAL Programme

TL;DR

This study finds that loneliness and social isolation increase over time in people with dementia and are linked to factors like living alone, depression, and neighborhood trust.

Contribution

The study identifies longitudinal and cross-sectional predictors of loneliness and social isolation in people with dementia using a large cohort.

Findings

Loneliness and social isolation increased in 35.4% and 28.8% of participants over 24 months.

Perceived neighborhood trust was the only factor associated with changes in loneliness over time.

Cultural participation and green/blue spaces were linked to lower social isolation at baseline.

Abstract

To identify predictors of loneliness and social isolation experienced by people with dementia at baseline and over time.

Using data from the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study (2014–2018), we examined the prevalence and predictors of loneliness and social isolation in 1547 people with mild‐to‐moderate dementia over 24 months. Loneliness was measured using the six‐item De Jong Gierveld Scale at baseline and 24 months and social isolation by the six‐item Lubben Social Network Scale at baseline, 12 and 24 months. Generalised linear mixed effects models examined possible predictors of loneliness and social isolation including individual characteristics, depression, cognition, cultural participation, and neighbourhood characteristics.

At baseline 35.4% of people with dementia were categorised as being lonely and 28.8% as socially isolated, increasing to 39.3% and 32.0% 2 years later. Over the 24‐month follow‐up none of these predictors were associated with changes in social isolation scores. Only perceived neighbourhood trust was associated with change in loneliness longitudinally. At baseline, depressive symptoms, living alone, smaller social networks and lower neighbourhood trust were associated with greater loneliness. Cross‐sectionally, loneliness and lower cognitive ability were associated with greater social isolation, and greater cultural participation, more green and blue spaces nearby and higher neighbourhood trust were associated with lower social isolation scores.

The findings highlight the importance of the local environment and cultural participation for people with dementia. Enhancing interactions with the local neighbourhood through initiatives such as dementia friendly communities may help to reduce loneliness and social isolation.

We investigated the prevalence and predictors of loneliness and social isolation in a large cohort of people with dementia over a 24‐month period.The proportion of people who could be categorised as lonely or social isolated increased over the 24‐month period.People with dementia who lived alone, had higher depression scores and were more socially isolated were at a greater risk of loneliness at baseline.Increased participation in cultural activities, higher perceived availability of green or blue spaces and higher neighbourhood trust were associated with less social isolation at baseline.Only perceived neighbourhood trust was associated with change in loneliness longitudinally.

We investigated the prevalence and predictors of loneliness and social isolation in a large cohort of people with dementia over a 24‐month period.

The proportion of people who could be categorised as lonely or social isolated increased over the 24‐month period.

People with dementia who lived alone, had higher depression scores and were more socially isolated were at a greater risk of loneliness at baseline.

Increased participation in cultural activities, higher perceived availability of green or blue spaces and higher neighbourhood trust were associated with less social isolation at baseline.

Only perceived neighbourhood trust was associated with change in loneliness longitudinally.