Alison Burton Shepherd
Care Quality Commission Specialist Advisor, UK
Title: “Face in the crowd†loneliness and isolation in the elderly, impact and prevention
Biography
Biography: Alison Burton Shepherd
Abstract
Loneliness and social isolation are two subjective complex terms with no standardized definition within the literature. Whilst loneliness can affect both young and old, older people are considered to be more vulnerable to both loneliness and isolation particularly after; suffering personal loss of friends and family, reduced mobility, or limited income (Burton-Shepherd 2015) In 2010 A meta-analyses from Holt-Lunstad et al identified that the effects of loneliness and isolation may exceed the mortality rates from disease such as obesity and may also equate to mortality rates seen from smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Furthermore Cacioppo (2014) argues that the effect of loneliness on physical health carries twice the health risks of obesity alone. However a poll of UK GP’s suggested that 36% of doctors did not believe that loneliness made a significant contribution to early mortality (Age UK 2011). This is somewhat controversial and therefore the aim of this presentation is to highlight the importance of loneliness in the elderly and provide practical suggestions as to how nurses may intervene.