Social Isolation of the Elderly: Current Status, Influencing Factors, and Countermeasures

Objective: To understand the current status and influencing factors of social isolation among the elderly, and to explore the improving strategies.

Methods: A literature search is used to organize and analyze 40 papers. Firstly, the concept of social isolation, the status of social isolation among the elderly, and its impact on the health and life of the elderly were introduced. Then, the characteristics, influencing factors, and consequences of social isolation among several elderly populations were emphasized. Based on this, the intervention research at home and abroad was compared.

Results: The incidence of social isolation among elderly people abroad is 20.5% to 52.7%, while that in China is 28.4% to 35.9%. Compared with ordinary elderly people living with families, "empty nest elderly", "elderly people who have lost their only child", and elderly people who receive institutional care are more likely to experience social isolation (P<0.001), and their levels of depression are also higher (P<0.001). The influencing factors of social isolation for the elderly are extremely complex, involving multiple levels of physiology, psychology, and society.

Conclusion: Social isolation has a profound impact on the physical and mental health and quality of life of the elderly, and requires comprehensive intervention from multiple aspects such as national and local policies and financial support, facility allocation and environmental creation by communities and social groups, material assistance and emotional support from families, and active participation of elderly people.