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 preceding week, 43.1% felt lonely at least some of the time, including 8.3% who felt lonely always or often. Women had increased odds of loneliness compared with men, whether living alone (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.52, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.04) or with others (2.44, 95% CI 2.04 to 2.92). Increasing age group decreased the odds of loneliness (aOR 0.69 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.81) 65-79 years and 0.50 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.65) 80+ years compared with <65 years). Living alone was associated with loneliness, with a greater association in men (aOR 4.26, 95% CI 3.15 to 5.76) than women (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 2.26 to 3.11). Other factors associated with loneliness included: fair or poor health (aOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.41), being a caregiver (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37), receiving care (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.81), high concern for the pandemic (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.84), not experiencing positive effects of pandemic distancing measures (aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.62 to 2.32) and changes to daily routine (aOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.96 to 4.03).

Conclusions: While many older adults reported feeling lonely during COVID-19, several characteristics-such as being female and living alone-increased the odds of loneliness. These characteristics may help identify priorities for targeting interventions to reduce loneliness.

Keywords: COVID-19; public health.

Figure 1

Timeline of COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada’s largest province. Physical distancing measures beginning 17 March included closure of all indoor recreational facilities, public libraries, theatres, cinemas, bars and restaurants. Publicly funded schools were closed by this point as well, and all employers in Ontario were asked to facilitate virtual work arrangements for employees. Remaining non-essential businesses were closed on 25 March. Gatherings of more than five people were prohibited on 28 March. On 30 March, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health strongly recommended individuals over 70 years of age or those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions to stay at home. Source: CIHI, COVID-19 Intervention Scan, accessed 11 August 2020, https://www.cihi.ca/en/covid-19-intervention-scan