Depressive Symptoms, Cognitive Functioning, Frailty, Multimorbidity and Loneliness among Older Population

Dear Colleagues,

There is ongoing demographic aging taking place in various high-income countries. Since there is a strong positive association between age and, among other things, multiple chronic diseases, dementia, and frailty, it is expected that the number of individuals suffering from these conditions will rise markedly over the next few decades.

Moreover, the geographical distance to family members gradually increases and many individuals lose their friends and relatives in old age. Furthermore, social distancing is an important issue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of these factors are associated with loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms in late life. Thus far, limited evidence has been obtained regarding the link between factors such as cognitive functioning, frailty, or multimorbidity and depressive symptoms or loneliness in old age. Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to collect novel findings in this research area. Interdisciplinary research is particularly welcome.

We particularly welcome the submission of original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and short communications on any of these topics.

Dr. André Hajek
Prof. Dr. Hans-Helmut König
Guest Editors

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