Tomstad Solveig, Dale Bjørg, Sundsli Kari, Saevareid Hans Inge, Söderhamn Ulrika
Centre for Care Research, Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway.
Int J Older People Nurs. 2017 Dec;12(4). doi: 10.1111/opn.12162. Epub 2017 Jul 28.
To investigate the prevalence of individuals who often feel lonely among a sample of Norwegian older home-dwelling people aged ≥65 years old, as well as to identify any possible factors explaining their loneliness.
Loneliness is known to be common among older people. To identify those older adults who are lonely, and to acquire knowledge about the complexity of their loneliness, is important to provide them with adequate help and support.
This study employed a cross-sectional design.
A questionnaire was mailed to a randomised sample of 6,033 older home-dwelling persons aged ≥65 years. A total of 2,052 persons returned the questionnaire and were included in the study. The questionnaire consisted of questions asking whether the subjects often felt lonely or not, as well as health-related and background questions and instruments to measure the participants' sense of coherence, mental problems, nutritional screening and self-care ability. The data were analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods.
A total of 11.6% of the participants reported often feeling lonely. Six factors emerged to be independently associated with often feeling lonely among the respondents: Living alone, not being satisfied with life, having mental problems, a weak sense of coherence, not having contact with neighbours and being at risk for undernutrition.
The study shows that often feeling lonely among older home-dwelling persons is a health-related problem that includes social, psychological and physical aspects. Moreover, these persons have limited resources to overcome feelings of loneliness.
Lasting loneliness among older home-dwelling persons requires an overall, person-centred and time-consuming approach by nurses. Nurses with advanced knowledge on geriatric nursing may be required to offer appropriate care and support. Healthcare leaders and politicians should offer possibilities for adequate assessment, support and help.
调查挪威65岁及以上居家老年人样本中经常感到孤独的个体的患病率，并确定任何可能解释其孤独感的因素。
孤独在老年人中很常见。识别那些孤独的老年人，并了解他们孤独感的复杂性，对于为他们提供充分的帮助和支持至关重要。
本研究采用横断面设计。
向6033名65岁及以上居家老年人的随机样本邮寄问卷。共有2052人回复了问卷并被纳入研究。问卷包括询问受试者是否经常感到孤独的问题，以及与健康相关的背景问题和用于测量参与者的连贯感、心理问题、营养筛查和自我护理能力的工具。使用单变量和多变量统计方法对数据进行分析。
共有11.6%的参与者报告经常感到孤独。六个因素被发现与受访者经常感到孤独独立相关：独居、对生活不满意、有心理问题、连贯感弱、与邻居没有联系以及有营养不良风险。
该研究表明，居家老年人经常感到孤独是一个与健康相关的问题，包括社会、心理和身体方面。此外，这些人克服孤独感的资源有限。
居家老年人的长期孤独需要护士采取全面、以人为本且耗时的方法。可能需要具备老年护理高级知识的护士提供适当的护理和支持。医疗保健领导者和政治家应提供进行充分评估、支持和帮助的可能性。
