April 11, 2022
The study is providing more insight into the degree to which lockdowns and health restrictions impacted the emotional well-being of older adults. It found that about 30% to 70% was the increase in loneliness from the pre-pandemic to the pandemic periods. Other findings include:
- Women aged 65 to 74 experienced a 67% increase in loneliness in 2020. The proportion of them with depression also increased, from 19% pre-pandemic to 23%;
- For men aged 65 to 74, loneliness increased by 45%, while the proportion experiencing depression increased to 14%, up from 12%; and
- Other groups at higher risk include immigrants, Indigenous people, LGBTQ2S+ individuals living alone or in remote areas and those with mental health problems.
Better digital technology education for older adults, expanding befriending programs and virtual group fitness classes are among the suggestions to minimize social isolation.