Loneliness among older adults in the community during COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey in Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Physical distancing and stay-at-home measures implemented to slow transmission of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may intensify feelings of loneliness in older adults, especially those living alone. Our aim was to characterise the extent of loneliness during the first wave in a sample of older adults living in the community and assess characteristics associated with loneliness.

Design

Online cross-sectional survey between 6 May and 19 May 2020.

Setting

Ontario, Canada.

Participants

Convenience sample of members of a national retired educators' organisation.

Primary outcome measures

Self-reported loneliness, including differences between women and men.

Results

4879 respondents (71.0% women; 67.4% 65-79 years) reported that in the pre

SUBMITTER: Savage RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8023743 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature