Perceived Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Social Support Resources of Frail Older People Ageing in Place Alone in Italy
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design and Participants
2.2. Instruments, Data Collection, and Ethical Issues
2.3. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Sample Characteristics
3.2. Types of Social Support-Resources
3.3. Social Isolation and Social Support Resources
I confide in my children, especially girls, who also help me in daily activities.(IT_64)
I see my niece every day, every morning she comes. She helps me, I talk with her, she comes every day. If I need she never leaves me (…). She never neglects me. I am not isolated, never! I do not suffer.(IT_87)
All my relatives come to visit me very often, cousins, grandchildren! They also help me.(IT_114)
When I have some worries I talk to my brother, if I need something he is available.(IT_68)
My brother and I talk very rarely. Some years ago we were more close, we helped each other. Currently he does not want to listen complaints. I cannot stand this indifference from him anymore.(IT_79)
I cannot call my son since his wife does not want I do it. At least once she called me. Now nothing. I have no relationship with my son.(IT_88)
I cannot tell too much to my daughters, since they do not always understand me.(IT_47)
I cannot tell my son anything because he gets angry afterwards. He gets angry when I am sick.(IT_43)
My sister has her family. We do not talk anymore because we clashed in a very violent way.(IT_95)
I do not tell my intimate things to anyone, I keep them to myself. I keep my worries. I have never told anything to anyone.(IT_11)
I see my daughters very often, they help me, I can confide with them. They live close to me.(IT_87)
I trust only on my nephew. I tell him everything. When my mobile phone freezes, I call him, if I have a financial problem, he makes me a bank transfer sometimes, but he lives in Spain. He calls me every day, but he lives far away.(IT_52)
I have worries, many times, but I talk about them with my grandchildren, or with friends, who come to visit and help me. They live nearby.(IT_80)
I am always at home, seeing these four walls, this makes me feel enormously melancholic. It’s like a prison.(IT_49)
I and my children talk every day by telephone. This is a beautiful routine for me!(IT_50)
When I want to talk with someone, I have two friends who are available to listening to me on the phone. We talk every day.(IT_54)
I have a neighbour who is also a friend, she helps me, we talk and confide together, we see each other every day from the balcony and on the stairs, she has the phone number of my children in case of emergencies.(IT_64)
I have a very dear friend who helps me. We have known each other for 14 years. Our relationship is very close, we know our needs, we understand each other.(IT_44)
I have lost many old friends. Friends of my age are lost because they die and are no longer there.(IT_79)
I have the support of a home care operator, who cleans my home. There is nobody else in my life, only God.(IT_91)
I have the help of a social worker, and of a home care operator, who meet my needs for over 80%. It is so much. I have no other support or contact for confidences.(IT_50)
I am fine with the support from public home services, especially when I am sick. I have to thank the public assistance so much, since I have no other person who can help.(IT_56)
My daughters are very present, they help me for everything, even in managing the PCA. I tell them everything.(IT_64)
3.4. Perceived Loneliness and Social Support-Resources
I am fine, I do not feel alone, because my children call me and come all the time, they support me very much.(IT_64)
My family feels my needs, even if I do not ask for anything.(IT_53)
My son is always out doing his own things. My daughter is much more superficial, since her father died, she has her own life, I hear from her rarely. I feel alone.(IT_61)
I am widow, I have never asked my children for anything, not even when my husband died. They also neglected me, they did not ask me if I had some need. I would have been happy if both children had said to me “do you need something mom”? It didn’t happen. I carry on everything with my own strength and I am very proud of this.(IT_45)
I have relatives and friends who support me, but when it is evening I am alone. There is no evening without crying (…). There is loneliness even if you feel protected by people, by the attention of your children. I feel a lot the intimate solitude, which I do not show to anyone.(IT_44)
I spend every Sunday with my daughters, but despite this I feel alone.(IT_55)
I have the family but I miss a person I can trust on, to finally be able to say: ‘oh, I am relaxing, I have a “shoulder”, a trusted person I can turn to in case of emergency.(IT_54)
I do not feel loneliness, probably because I have two friends with whom I chat a lot by telephone. We are really chatty!(IT_42)
Telephone contacts are very important for me. I spend a lot of time on the phone, the phone has always helped me a lot to feel less alone!(IT_54)
Older people should have a telephone line ad hoc, especially when they would like to talk and nobody is available in person!(IT_52)
My daughter lives in another region, very far away, this is heavy for me!(IT_47)
My son now lives and works in the Philippines, one brother is deceased, another brother lives in another city. I have no relationship with him, since we see only at Easter and Christmas, twice a year. I have affections kept alive “at a distance”, almost virtually. The family members are all far away, they love me from afar, basically.(IT_52)
My family does not live close to me but this is not crucial, my children are very careful. If we cannot see each other, we call by phone.(IT_64)
I feel alone even when I am with my family who supports me and lives close to me. I am widow and I feel the absence of my husband a lot.(IT_58)
I am never alone. There is always the PCA. I feel calm and safe.(IT_94)
No, I do not feel alone. My neighbours and friends keep my company. We help and respect each other.(IT_105)
I do not feel loneliness, since the domestic helper is with me great part of the day.(IT_67)
I have support from public services but the quality of social relationships with the social workers is a problem, I have no social interactions with them.(IT_83)
It is a bit of company that is missing (...). Loneliness is hard, especially on Saturday and Sunday, when public services operators are missing. It is painful to eat alone!(IT_50)
3.5. Social Isolation and Perceived Loneliness
Mu children are careful, listen to me, help me, but everyone has to lead their own life. They have their life, I have mine. We spend time together especially at Christmas and Easter. I do not feel too much alone on the whole.(IT_2)
I have my children to talk and for my needs but this is not enough. They have their own world, their own things. I do not feel supported, I miss my children! I feel really alone!(IT_93)
4. Discussion
4.1. Networks of Confidants and Supports
4.2. Perceived Loneliness and Support Networks
4.3. Social Isolation and Loneliness
4.4. Social Support Resources, Isolation and Loneliness: Possible Risks for Ageing in Place
4.5. Possible Policy Interventions
4.6. Limitations
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Characteristics | n = 120 | % |
---|---|---|
Age Groups (years) | ||
67–74 | 17 | 14 |
75–79 | 19 | 16 |
80–84 | 28 | 23 |
85 and over | 56 | 47 |
Gender | ||
Male | 30 | 25 |
Female | 90 | 75 |
Education | ||
No title | 14 | 11 |
Primary–Middle school (5 and 3 years) | 75 | 63 |
High School–University (3–5 years both) | 31 | 26 |
Marital Status | ||
Single/Divorced | 32 | 27 |
Widowed | 88 | 73 |
Living Situation | ||
Alone | 93 | 78 |
With personal care assistant (PCA) | 27 | 22 |
Level of physical limitations 1 | ||
Mild | 30 | 25 |
Moderate | 33 | 28 |
High | 27 | 23 |
Very high | 30 | 24 |
Mobility | ||
Only/Mainly in the home 2 | 48 | 40 |
Also outside the home with help 3 | 72 | 60 |
Total cases/respondents | 120 | 100 |
Types of Support 2 | Total | |
---|---|---|
n | % | |
Family | 94 | 78 |
Children | 71 | 60 |
Friends/neighbours | 50 | 42 |
Private services | 50 | 42 |
Public services | 43 | 36 |
PCAs | 27 | 23 |
Total respondents | 120 | 100 |
Family Confidants 2 | No Family Support | Minority of Family Support | Majority of Family Support | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
No confidant at all | 9 | 35 | 2 | 4 | - | - | 11 | 9 |
No family confidant | 10 | 38 | 14 | 27 | 7 | 17 | 31 | 26 |
Minority of family confidants | 3 | 12 | 16 | 31 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 23 |
Majority of family confidants | 1 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 36 | 24 | 20 |
Only/all family confidants | 3 | 12 | 12 | 23 | 12 | 29 | 27 | 23 |
Total respondents | 26 | 100 | 52 | 100 | 42 | 100 | 120 | 100 |
Family Confidants 2 | No Close Family Support | One Close Family Support | Two/More Close Family Supports | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
No confidant at all | - | - | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
No family confidant | 12 | 35 | 7 | 27 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 22 |
Minority of family confidants | 9 | 26 | 8 | 31 | 7 | 21 | 24 | 26 |
Majority of family confidants | 7 | 21 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 38 | 23 | 24 |
Only/all family confidants | 6 | 18 | 7 | 27 | 11 | 32 | 24 | 26 |
Total respondents | 34 | 100 | 26 | 100 | 34 | 100 | 94 | 100 |
Face-to-Face Contacts 2 | No Close Family Support | One Close Family Support | Two/More Close Family Supports | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
No confidant at all | - | - | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
No face-to-face confidant | 4 | 12 | 1 | 4 | - | - | 5 | 5 |
1 face-to-face confidant | 10 | 29 | 4 | 15 | 6 | 18 | 20 | 21 |
2 face-to-face confidants | 12 | 35 | 10 | 38 | 10 | 29 | 32 | 34 |
3+ face-to-face confidant | 8 | 24 | 10 | 38 | 17 | 50 | 35 | 37 |
Total respondents | 34 | 100 | 26 | 100 | 34 | 100 | 94 | 100 |
Family Confidants 2 | Public Services | Private Services | Friends/Neighbours | PCA | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
No confidant at all | 8 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 9 |
No family confidant | 17 | 40 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 4 | 15 | 31 | 26 |
Minority of family confidants | 5 | 12 | 11 | 22 | 14 | 28 | 10 | 37 | 27 | 23 |
Majority of family confidants | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 30 | 24 | 20 |
Only/all family confidants | 10 | 23 | 12 | 24 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 15 | 27 | 23 |
Total respondents | 43 | 100 | 50 | 100 | 50 | 100 | 27 | 100 | 120 | 100 |
Loneliness Levels 2 | No Family Support | Minority of Family Support | Majority of Family Support | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
Absent/mild | 6 | 23 | 16 | 31 | 17 | 40 | 39 | 33 |
Moderate | 7 | 27 | 13 | 25 | 7 | 17 | 27 | 23 |
High | 7 | 27 | 15 | 29 | 9 | 21 | 31 | 26 |
Very high | 6 | 23 | 8 | 15 | 9 | 21 | 23 | 19 |
Total respondents | 26 | 100 | 52 | 100 | 42 | 100 | 120 | 100 |
Loneliness Levels 2 | No Close Family Support | One Close Family Support | Two/More Close Family Supports | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
Absent/mild | 13 | 38 | 7 | 27 | 13 | 38 | 33 | 35 |
Moderate | 7 | 21 | 9 | 35 | 4 | 12 | 20 | 21 |
High | 10 | 29 | 6 | 23 | 8 | 24 | 24 | 26 |
Very high | 4 | 12 | 4 | 15 | 9 | 26 | 17 | 18 |
Total respondents | 34 | 100 | 26 | 100 | 34 | 100 | 94 | 100 |
Loneliness Levels 2 | Public Services | Private Services | Friends/Neighbours | PCA | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
Absent/mild | 9 | 21 | 13 | 26 | 13 | 26 | 14 | 52 | 39 | 33 |
Moderate | 11 | 26 | 15 | 30 | 16 | 32 | 3 | 11 | 27 | 23 |
High | 13 | 30 | 12 | 24 | 13 | 26 | 7 | 26 | 31 | 26 |
Very high | 10 | 23 | 10 | 20 | 8 | 16 | 3 | 11 | 23 | 19 |
Total respondents | 43 | 100 | 50 | 100 | 50 | 100 | 27 | 100 | 120 | 100 |
Family Confidants 2 | Absent/Mild | Moderate | High | Very High | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
No confidant at all | 2 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 9 |
No family confidant | 8 | 21 | 8 | 30 | 7 | 23 | 8 | 35 | 31 | 26 |
Minority of family confidants | 11 | 28 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 26 | 5 | 22 | 27 | 23 |
Majority of family confidants | 9 | 23 | 6 | 22 | 5 | 16 | 4 | 17 | 24 | 20 |
Only/all family confidants | 9 | 23 | 6 | 22 | 9 | 29 | 3 | 13 | 27 | 23 |
Total respondents | 39 | 100 | 27 | 100 | 31 | 100 | 23 | 100 | 120 | 100 |
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Melchiorre, M.G.; Socci, M.; Lamura, G.; Quattrini, S. Perceived Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Social Support Resources of Frail Older People Ageing in Place Alone in Italy. Healthcare 2024, 12, 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090875
Melchiorre MG, Socci M, Lamura G, Quattrini S. Perceived Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Social Support Resources of Frail Older People Ageing in Place Alone in Italy. Healthcare. 2024; 12(9):875. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090875
Chicago/Turabian StyleMelchiorre, Maria Gabriella, Marco Socci, Giovanni Lamura, and Sabrina Quattrini. 2024. "Perceived Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Social Support Resources of Frail Older People Ageing in Place Alone in Italy" Healthcare 12, no. 9: 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090875