Abstract

Globally the numbers of older people who live alone and those who may experience certain risk factors have risen. In this study, we aim to examine associations between social isolation and loneliness with different domains of cognitive impairment. Data are from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Social isolation and loneliness were measured in 2012-2013 and cognition in 2017-2018, using the Harmonised Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) in 1,200 men and women aged ≥65 years. General cognitive impairment was measured using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE); memory was assessed using the CERAD word list, attention & speed using the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test and executive function by a number series test. Loneliness, measured using the UCLA scale, was associated with a higher risk of neurocognitive impairment (MMSE<24), lower memory scores, poorer attention and executive function. However, social isolation was only found only to be associated with lower levels of memory.

Details

Title
LONELINESS, SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND DOMAINS OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN THE ENGLISH LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF AGEING
Author
Abell, Jessica G 1 ; Abell, Jessica 2 ; Cadar, Dorina 2 ; Llewellyn, David J 3 ; Steptoe, Andrew 2 

 University College London, London, United Kingdom 
 University College London, London, England, United Kingdom 
 University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, England, United Kingdom 
Pages
S190-S191
Publication year
2019
Publication date
Nov 2019
Publisher
Oxford University Press
e-ISSN
23995300
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3169941740
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.