The impact of loneliness and social isolation for the elderly in Scotland

Abstract

Loneliness and social isolation of the elderly have become major global social issues that demand urgent attention. Social isolation and loneliness are distinct but interrelated concepts that have been linked to a number of both mental and physical health problems among the elderly population and examples of health related issues include depression, stress, anxiety, high blood pressure and cognitive function decline. This study aims is to investigate and explore social isolation and loneliness amongst elderly people in Scotland and find out factors that contribute to this issue and the interventions that are being implemented to try and tackle this social problem. The study will conclude with recommendations that may be implemented to help to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

A desk study/literature review was carried out to explore the issues that pertain to loneliness and social isolation. The Multifactorial Construct Frame developed by Holt-Lunstad (2018) was adopted for analysing the findings of the study. The framework uses there determinants which are functional, structural and quality and these three were used to analyse the findings.

Using the Multifactorial Construct Framework, the determinants that contribute to elderly people becoming lonely and socially isolated were explored and analysed. Interventions were also discussed in line with the framework and recommendations were proposed based on the findings. A clear conclusion is that loneliness and social isolation will have to be treated as public health issues and will need interventions at community level as well as at local and national government policy level.