Elder loneliness and associated risks: Systematic review and implication for social work practice

This systematic literature review focuses on the determinants of loneliness among elderly individuals and the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on elder loneliness. It also discusses the challenges and implications for social work practice when working with elderly individuals that suffer from loneliness.

Systematic Literature Review Research Projects
Title: Elder loneliness and associated risks: Systematic
review and implication for social work practice.
Table of Contents

Abstract............................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Topic: Elder loneliness and associated risks: Systematic review and implication for social
work practice..........................................................................................................................1
1.1. Background of the project...............................................................................................1
1.2. Aim and objective............................................................................................................1
1.3. Rationale of the project...................................................................................................2
1.4. Research questions..........................................................................................................3
1.5. Scope and limitation of the project..................................................................................3
1.6. Summary of research methodology.................................................................................3
1.7. Overview of the structure of the dissertation..................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature review (2500)...............................................................................................5
To analysis the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on elder loneliness........................................5
To investigate about the determinants of loneliness among elder individuals.......................5
To analysis the impact of individual’ values and culture in dealing with loneliness.............6
To determine the challenges and Implication for social work practice when working with
elderly individuals that suffers with loneliness......................................................................6
Chapter 3: Methodology and ethical considerations (1500)............................................................6
Chapter 4: Research findings based on theme (4,000 words)..........................................................6
Theme 1: Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on elder loneliness.................................................8
Theme 2: Determinants of loneliness among elder individuals.............................................8
Theme 3: Impact of individual’ values and culture in dealing with loneliness......................8
Theme 4: Challenges and Implication for social work practice when working with elderly
individuals that suffer with loneliness....................................................................................8
Summary.................................................................................................................................8
Chapter 5: Discussion (2,000)..........................................................................................................8
Chapter 6: Conclusion (1,000- 1,500 words)...................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

Abstract
Chapter 1: Introduction
Topic: Elder loneliness and associated risks: Systematic review and implication for social work
practice
1.1. Background of the project
The concept of the Loneliness is tend to be associated and related with the leading of a
distressing feeling that tend to accompanies the perception that social needs of an individuals are
not being met by the quantity or especially it tend to reflects out the quality level of one's social
relationships. It has been seen that the elder people are at the increased risk of loneliness and
social isolation as they are likelier to face the issues such as the living alone as well as having
any sort of chronic illness or loss of family and friends (Lim, Eres and Vasan, 2020). Further,
research has also showed and reviled that the loneliness in the elder is also leading and giving
rise to many physical as well as mental risk within elders such as high blood pressure, obesity,
anxiety, depression, Alzheimer disease, etc. Therefore, the current project is being undertaken
and conducted to effectively review about the Elder loneliness and associated risks. Further, this
report comprises of the undertaking of systematic literature review based on thematic analysis
that supports a better analysis about the determinants of loneliness among elderly and the impact
of Covid-19 pandemic on loneliness along with the role and challenges for social workers when
working with elderly affected by loneliness.
1.2. Aim and objective
The main aim of the current project is, “To evaluate the Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on
elder loneliness along with review of challenges and Implication for social work practice when
working with elderly individuals that suffer with loneliness”.
Research objectives
 To analysis the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on elder loneliness.
 To investigate about the determinants of loneliness among elder individuals.
 To analysis the impact of individual’ values and culture in dealing with loneliness.
 To determine the challenges and Implication for social work practice when working with
elderly individuals that suffers with loneliness.
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1.3. Rationale of the project
The selection of the current project topic based on Elder loneliness and associated risks is
seemed to be justifiable ad rationale as a rising number of issues related with elder loneliness is
being seen in current society that give rises to any associated risk that is depression and other
health issues. Further, it has been also seen and analysed that the social isolation as well as the
loneliness lead to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions such as the issue
related with the high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety,
depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death in many cases. Therefore, it is
rationale and significant to review the concept of loneliness along with analysing its key
determinants (Killgore and et. al., 2020). Further, it has been also seen and reviewed that the
spread of the covid-19 has further enhanced the challenges and issues related with the loneliness
by the way of the creating strict social distancing and lock down that further enhanced the
physical distance and issue of loneliness. Along with this, the selection of the current topic is
also relevant and rationale as the issue of isolation and loneliness is directly associated and
related with being inactive as well as starting of smoking and multiple health risk behaviours that
created many mental and health related issues. Further, the current study is also being important
and vital for the society as the feeling of loneliness is creating a lower self esteem in people and
also aiming them physical and mentally inactive that is affecting the overall ethical and
productive balance of society. Along with this, the undertaking of the current project would also
supports a better review of the key determinants of loneliness among elder individuals together
with challenges and Implication for social work practice when working with elderly individuals
that suffer with loneliness (Saltzman, Hansel and Bordnick, 2020). Thus, current project is
helpful in supporting better individual’s values and culture along with other suitable ways to
overcome and deal with the issue of the loneliness among the elder individuals. Apart from this,
the undertaking of the current project is also relevant and important from the personal aspect of
the researcher as it supports a better understanding about the issue of loneliness that has became
common in current society and also supports the review about effective ways to mitigate and
reduce issue of loneliness in elders. Apart from this, the undertaking and leading out the current
project also supports and brings out a better development of the key skills and competency level
of researcher and also supports higher understanding about loneliness for society and other
scholars.
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1.4. Research questions
 What possible impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is seen on elder loneliness?
 What are the determinants of loneliness among elder individuals?
 What impact of individual’ values and culture is seen in dealing with loneliness?
 Which are the challenges and Implication for social work practice when working with
elderly individuals that suffer with loneliness?
1.5. Scope and limitation of the project
The current study is tend to have a wide scope as it focuses on review about the key
determinants of loneliness among elder individuals therefore gives an in-depth and detailed
analysis of factors that lead to issue of the loneliness in elderly people. Along with this, the scope
of current project also comprises of analysing about the possible impact of the covid-19 on the
elder loneliness as it has further enhanced the risk of social isolation in elder people through
leading strict lock down and enhancing physical barriers (Hwang, and et. al., 2020). Beside this,
it has been also seen that current project is also providing a review about the challenges and
Implication for social work practice when working with elderly individuals that suffer with
loneliness therefore effective steps can be taken to overcome and mitigate those changes that
enhance the scope of the current project. Further, the key limitation and challenge that tend to be
seemed to be faced during the current study tend to comprises of limited availability of time and
resources. The availability of limited time is affecting the scope of current project as in limited
time a detailed and more in-depth research can be not be undertaken. Along with this, because of
the covid-19 restrictions access to only a limited number of sources of data has been possible that
is further reducing the scope of the current project (Rumas and et. al., 2021). Along with this, the
issue and challenge related with the selection of the suitable set of the themes as well as reliable
set of data collection sources such as authentic articles, books, etc has been also faced a vital
challenge and limitation while undertaking current project.
1.6. Summary of research methodology
The current study is based on systematic literature review basically comprises of the piece
of the academic writing that tend to demonstrate knowledge in a systematic manner based on
creating understanding about the academic literature related with the specific topic. Further, the
current project comprises of the interpretivism set of research philosophy along with the
inductive approach that supports effective undertaking of a detailed and theoretical set of data
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analysis. Beside this, implication and use of qualitative set of research method has been made in
current project as it supports a theoretical way to effectively identify and analysis the set
objectives and themes. Further, use of systematic literature review strategy has been made within
current project that comprises of analysis of set themes based on data reviewed through use of
online articles and journal. Beside this implication of the thematic analysis has been made to
clearly present and support better analysis of research findings.
1.7. Overview of the structure of the dissertation
The structure of the current project has been divided into five main chapters an overview of
which is provided as below:
 Chapter 1: Introduction- It forms the first chapter that provide information about the
scope and rationale of current project along with set aim ad objective. Further,
introduction chapter along provides a summary of the research questions and
methodology along with overview of the structure.
 Chapter 2: Literature review- This section includes of the undertaking of critical
evaluation of the available materials that supports a better base and framework for
knowledge creation and leading higher understanding of the selected topic.
 Chapter 3: Methodology and ethical considerations- This section of project provides an
analysis about the key research method and strategy that are being used and applied for
analysing and achieving the set objective. The current project is only comprises of use of
secondary source of data collection based on qualitative method of research. Further, use
of systematic literature review and thematic analysis has been also made to ensure better
review of the set objective and themes.
 Chapter 4: Research findings- Its forms the key portion of the project that comprises the
findings around the set theme. Use of systematic literature review has been made for the
analysis and review of set themes that comprises of analysis of various set of online
articles, journals, books and other secondary source of data to support better analysis of
set theme.
 Chapter 5: Discussion- This section of the project comprises of the linking of the set
literature review with the set themes and objective analyses under the research findings
to provide a better intervention of themes. Further, a discussion portions also comprises
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of the possible recommendation in relation to the policy and practice including the
suggestion on how these could be implemented.
 Chapter 6: Conclusion- It forms the last chapter that provides a summary of overall
research findings along with overarching project, including its strengths and limitations.
Further, it also provides the contribution of work to knowledge and is there a need for
further research.
Chapter 2: Literature review (2500)
To analysis the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on elder loneliness.
As per the view point of the Kumar, M., Ruikar, M. and Surya, V.L., 2022, it has been seen
that the more than the more than the 40% of the senior and elderly people are tend to regular
experience the loneliness comprises of feeling of separation and disconnection from others that is
creating and leading various serious health problems. It has been also analysed that the
percentage of the loneliness tend to get increased by the spread of covid-19 that is presenting the
direct impact of Covid-19 pandemic on loneliness as it lead to higher physical barriers based on
lockdown and strict social distancing norms (Von Soest, Luhmann and Gerstorf, 2020).
To investigate about the determinants of loneliness among elder individuals.
With respect to the view point of the Reine, I., 2021, it has been reviewed that the Feeling
lonely have a negative impact on the mental health which is directly associated and related with
the increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-
esteem, sleep problems and increased stress. Further, it has been also observed that the there are
various Determinants of loneliness among elderly people that boost and enhance the issue of
social isolation in elderly people. A discussion about some of these key Determinants of
loneliness among elderly are discussed and analysed as below:
• Bereavement- This tends to present about the state of being bereaved and deprived of
something and someone which is taken as a common determinant and cause of loneliness in
elderly people. It has been seen that losing someone close or death of some family members or
loved once gives a sense of loneliness in elderly people as it comprises of the devastating event
and also turn up the world upside down. Further, it has been also analysed that the loneliness
tends to comprises of the natural part of grief and sadness that is triggered and boost by the
situation and feeling of the bereavement within elderly people (Wickens and et. al., 2021).
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• Retirement- The process of the Retirement refers to the time of life when someone tends
to chooses to permanently have the leave of the job and the workforce behind. It has been seen
that the retirement is also tend to be a vital reason and factor behind the rising issue of the
loneliness in the elderly as it demotes the time when an individual become cut off from its job
and fellow being (Perissinotto and et. al., 2019). The traditional retirement age is 65 in most of
the developed countries, many of which have some kind of national pension or benefits system in
place to supplement retirees' incomes. Thus, retirements is taken as a common factor and reason
for loneliness especially in the elderly people who feel socially isolated and disconnected from
the people after the retirement. Further, it has been also reviewed and seen that the retirement
lead to a sudden change on the daily routine and limit the physical interaction and working of an
individual thus creates a sense of being alone and lonely in the elderly people (Dahlberg and et.
al., 2022).
• Loss of network of friends and companions- the main and one of the most common
reason and factor that is causing to the issue of loneliness in any individuals comprises of having
he loss of their network of the friends and having separation from their companions.
• A change in living environment
• Poor physical health (have difficulty listening, talking)
• Lack of transport
To analysis the impact of individual’ values and culture in dealing with loneliness.
To determine the challenges and Implication for social work practice when working with elderly
individuals that suffers with loneliness.
Chapter 3: Methodology and ethical considerations (1500)
Chapter 4: Research findings based on theme (4,000 words)
The research finings of the current project is based on qualitative set of research method
where systematic literature review is conducted to have an analysis of selected themes. It has
been seen and analysed that a systematic literature review (SLR) is effective is properly
identifying, selecting and critically appraises the research in an orderly manner to have proper
answer and evaluation of the clearly formulated set of research question and selected themes
(Wright. and Silard 2021). The current set of the systematic literature review is based on the
topic of the Elder loneliness and associated risks for which 4 main themes has been set out to
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support better analysis and accomplishment of this topic. Along with this, the current literature
review is based on analysis and review of the online articles, journals and books related with the
topic of Elder loneliness and associated risks a discussion and evaluation of which has been
provided as below:
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Theme 1: Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on elder loneliness
Theme 2: Determinants of loneliness among elder individuals
Theme 3: Impact of individual’ values and culture in dealing with loneliness.
Theme 4: Challenges and Implication for social work practice when working with elderly
individuals that suffer with loneliness.
Summary
Chapter 5: Discussion (2,000)
Chapter 6: Conclusion (1,000- 1,500 words)
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REFERENCES
Books and journal
Kumar, M., Ruikar, M. and Surya, V.L., 2022. Prevalence and determinants of social isolation
among elderly in an urban slum of Raipur city–A community based cross‐sectional study.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Reine, I., 2021. Factors predicting loneliness among ageing populations in the Baltic states
during Covid-19. European Journal of Public Health, 31(Supplement_3), pp.ckab165-
110.
Lim, M.H., Eres, R. and Vasan, S., 2020. Understanding loneliness in the twenty-first century: an
update on correlates, risk factors, and potential solutions. Social psychiatry and
psychiatric epidemiology, 55(7), pp.793-810.
Killgore, W.D. and et. al., 2020. Loneliness during the first half-year of COVID-19 Lockdowns.
Psychiatry research, 294, p.113551.
Saltzman, L.Y., Hansel, T.C. and Bordnick, P.S., 2020. Loneliness, isolation, and social support
factors in post-COVID-19 mental health. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research,
Practice, and Policy, 12(S1), p.S55.
Hwang, T.J and et. al., 2020. Loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
International psychogeriatrics, 32(10), pp.1217-1220.
Rumas, R. and et. al., 2021. Predictors and consequences of loneliness during the COVID-19
pandemic. Psychiatry research, 300, p.113934.
Wickens, C.M and et. al., 2021. Loneliness in the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations with age,
gender and their interaction. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 136, pp.103-108.
Dahlberg, L and et. al., 2022. A systematic review of longitudinal risk factors for loneliness in
older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 26(2), pp.225-249.
Perissinotto, C. and et. al., 2019. A practical approach to assessing and mitigating loneliness and
isolation in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), pp.657-662.
Von Soest, T., Luhmann, M. and Gerstorf, D., 2020. The development of loneliness through
adolescence and young adulthood: Its nature, correlates, and midlife outcomes.
Developmental psychology, 56(10), p.1919.
Wright, S. and Silard, A., 2021. Unravelling the antecedents of loneliness in the workplace.
Human Relations, 74(7), pp.1060-1081.
Online
Loneliness in Seniors: Understanding It’s Impact and Ways to Help. 2019. [Online] Available
Through:< https://www.closingthegap.ca/loneliness-in-seniors-understanding-its-impact-
and-ways-to-help/#causes >.
One is the Loneliest Number: Combating Senior Isolation. 2021. [Online] Available Through:<
https://stonegatesl.com/one-is-the-loneliest-number-combating-senior-isolation/ >.
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