scholarly journals Social Isolation and Loneliness of Older Adults in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Can Use of Online Social Media Sites and Video Chats Assist in Mitigating Social Isolation and Loneliness?

Gerontology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
André Hajek ◽  
Hans-Helmut König
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Online Social Media ◽  
Video Calling

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global burden. Epidemiological data suggest that the severity of COVID-19, in particular its case fatality rate, rises strongly with age. It is possible that neither a vaccine nor an effective treatment will be available for >1 year. Thus, it may be necessary for older adults to protect themselves by avoiding direct social contact and practicing social distancing for a rather long period of time. This may result in loneliness and social isolation because, for example, grandchildren cannot visit their grandparents. In turn, both loneliness and social isolation can have serious deleterious consequences (e.g., in terms of morbidity and mortality). Thus, the question arises: are there ways to mitigate loneliness and social isolation? One way to stay in contact is to use online social media such as Facebook or using video calling software such as Skype. However, there are very few studies examining whether the use of online social media or video chats are associated with loneliness and social isolation in older adults. We sum up some preliminary findings and make a call for further research on the link between online social media use/video chat and loneliness, as well as social isolation, in older adults.

scholarly journals Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3971
Author(s):  
Jolanthe de Koning ◽  
Suzanne H. Richards ◽  
Grace E. R. Wood ◽  
Afroditi Stathi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physically Active

Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality and physical inactivity in older age. This study explored the socioecological context in which both physically active and inactive older adults experience loneliness and/or social isolation in a UK rural setting. Design: A mixed-methods design employed semi structured interviews and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interviews explored the personal, social and environmental factors influencing engagement with physical activities, guided by an adapted-socioecological model of physical activity behaviour. Findings: Twenty-four older adults (MeanAge = 73 (5.8 SD); 12 women) were interviewed. Transcripts were thematically analysed and seven profiles of physical activity, social isolation and loneliness were identified. The high-MVPA group had established PA habits, reported several sources of social contact and evaluated their physical environment as activity friendly. The low MVPA group had diverse experiences of past engagement in social activities. Similar to the high MVPA, they reported a range of sources of social contact but they did not perceive the physical environment as activity friendly. Conclusions: Loneliness and/or social isolation was reported by both physically active and inactive older adults. There is wide diversity and complexity in types and intensity of PA, loneliness and social isolation profiles and personal, social and environmental contexts.

scholarly journals Managing older adults’ fear of coronavirus disease: A new role for social work practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 147332502097329
Author(s):  
Hamed Mortazavi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
World Health ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Incidence And Mortality

As the number of patients infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (nCOVID-19) increases, the number of deaths has also been increasing. According to World Health Organization (WHO), as of 4 October 2020, 34,804,348 cases had tested positive for nCOVID-19 globally, which among them, 1,030,738 confirmed deaths had occurred, equivalent to a case-fatality rate of 2.96%. However, in comparison with global statistics, the incidence and mortality of the nCOVID-19 infection are higher in Iran. As reported by the National Committee on COVID-19 Epidemiology of Ministry of Health of Iran, the total number of patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection has reached 468,119, of which 26,746 have died, equivalent to a case-fatality rate of 5.71%. Currently, there is solid evidence that older adults are at a higher risk of severe disease following infection from COVID-19.

Social Media Communication and Loneliness Among Older Adults: The Mediating Roles of Social Support and Social Contact

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunyu Zhang ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Nina M Silverstein ◽  
Qian Song ◽  
Jeffrey A Burr
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Media Communication ◽  
Social Media Communication

Abstract Background and Objectives Social media communication offers a medium for helping older people stay socially and emotionally connected with others. This study investigated the association between social media communication with close social ties and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. The study also examined the mediating roles of social support and social contact. Research Design and Methods Four waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010/2012 and 2014/2016) were used to address the research questions (N = 7,524). A path model was estimated to examine the association between social media communication and older adults’ loneliness. We also examined whether the association between social media communication and loneliness was mediated by perceived social support from close social ties (children, other family members, and friends) and frequency of contact with social network members (phone, in-person contact, and writing letters/email). Results The results showed that frequent social media communication was associated with lower levels of loneliness, adjusting for previous levels of loneliness. The relationship between social media communication and loneliness was mediated by perceived social support and social contact. Thus, social media communication was associated with higher levels of perceived social support and social contact, which were related to lower levels of loneliness among older adults. Discussion and Implications These findings suggested that social media communication may be considered an intervention to reduce loneliness among older people by increasing levels of social support and social contact.

scholarly journals Global Epidemiology of First 90 Days into COVID-19 Pandemic: Disease Incidence, Prevalence, Case Fatality Rate and Their Association with Population Density, Urbanisation and Elderly Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivam Gupta ◽  
Kamalesh Kumar Patel ◽  
Shobana Sivaraman ◽  
Abha Mangal
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Global Epidemiology ◽  
First 90 Days

As the COVID-19 pandemic marches exponentially, epidemiological data is of high importance to analyse the current situation and guide intervention strategies. This study analyses the epidemiological data of COVID-19 from 17 countries, representing 85 per cent of the total cases within first 90 days of lockdown in Wuhan, China. It follows a population-level observational study design and includes countries with 20,000 cases (or higher) as of 21 April 2020. We sourced the data for these 17 countries from worldometers. info, a digital platform being used by several media and reputed academic institutions worldwide. We calculated the prevalence, incidence, case fatality rate and trends in the epidemiology of COVID-19, and its correlation with population density, urbanisation and elderly population. The analysis represents 85 per cent ( N = 2,183,661) of all cases within the first 90 days of the pandemic. Across the analysed period, the burden of the pandemic primarily focused on high- and middle-income countries of Asia, Europe and North America. While the total number of cases and deaths are highest in USA, the prevalence, incidence and case fatality rates are higher in the European countries. The prevalence and incidence vary widely among countries included in the analysis, and the number of cases per million and the case fatality rate are correlated with the proportion of the elderly population and to a lesser extent with the proportion of the urban population.

Rise and Fall of Digital Activism in Mexico From 2000-2019

2020 ◽  
pp. 264-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Sandoval-Almazan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Political Activism ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Digital Activism ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Online Social Media ◽  
Classification Framework ◽  
Privacy Laws ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Over Time

Political activism is more alive than ever. After the scandal of Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, online social media platforms restricted the distribution of content to privacy laws. But populism disruption in many countries fosters political discontent. Online protests and everyday claims are rising. Add to this context environmental problems and an absence of an ideological framework. All these conditions foster the use of digital activism. But this field of research has studied single cases, losing connections with societies and history. The aim of this chapter is to explain the evolution of digital activism in a long period of time. To achieve such purpose, the author analyzes 11 Mexican events that took place from 2000 to 2019 and provide a classification framework to understand how digital activism transforms over time.

scholarly journals Infection pattern, case fatality rate and spread of Lassa virus in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement Ameh Yaro ◽  
Ezekiel Kogi ◽  
Kenneth Nnamdi Opara ◽  
Gaber El-Saber Batiha ◽  
Roua S. Baty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Infection Pattern

Abstract Background Lassa fever (LF) is a zoonotic infectious disease of public concern in Nigeria. The infection dynamics of the disease is not well elucidated in Nigeria. This study was carried out to describe the pattern of infection, case fatality rate and spread of lassa virus (LASV) from 2017 to 2020. Methods Weekly epidemiological data on LF from December, 2016 to September, 2020 were obtained from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The number of confirmed cases and deaths were computed according to months and states. Descriptive statistics was performed and case fatality rate was calculated. Distribution and spread maps of LF over the four years period was performed on ArcMap 10.7. Results A total of 2787 confirmed cases and 516 deaths were reported in Nigeria from December, 2016 to September, 2020. Increase in number of cases and deaths were observed with 298, 528, 796 and 1165 confirmed cases and 79, 125, 158 and 158 deaths in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. Over 60% of the cases were reported in two states, Edo and Ondo states. The LF cases spread from 19 states in 2017 to 32 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2020. Ondo state (25.39%) had the highest of deaths rate from LF over the four years. Case fatality rate (CFR) of LF was highest in 2017 (26.5%) with CFR of 23.7, 19.6 and 13.4% in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. The peak of infection was in the month of February for the four years. Infections increases at the onset of dry season in November and decline till April when the wet season sets-in. Conclusion There is an annual increase in the number of LASV infection across the states in Nigeria. There is need to heighten control strategies through the use of integrated approach, ranging from vector control, health education and early diagnosis.

scholarly journals Molecular Epidemiology of Dengue in Panama: 25 Years of Circulation

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 764
Author(s):  
Yamilka Díaz ◽  
María Chen-Germán ◽  
Evelia Quiroz ◽  
Jean-Paul Carrera ◽  
Julio Cisneros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Serotype Replacement ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
History Of ◽  
Autochthonous Transmission

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent arbovirus in terms of human public health importance globally. In addition to DENV epidemiological surveillance, genomic surveillance may help investigators understand the epidemiological dynamics, geographic distribution, and temporal patterns of DENV circulation. Herein, we aimed to reconstruct the molecular epidemiology and phylogeny of DENV in Panama to connect the epidemiological history of DENV dispersal and circulation in Latin America. We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological data obtained during 25 years of DENV surveillance in Panama. DENV was reintroduced in Panama in 1993 after a 35 year absence of autochthonous transmission. The increase in the number of total dengue cases has been accompanied by an increase in severe and fatal cases, with the highest case fatality rate recorded in 2011. All four serotypes were detected in Panama, which is characterized by serotype replacement and/or co-circulation of multiple serotypes. Phylogenetic analysis of datasets collected from envelope (E) gene sequences obtained from viruses isolated from human sera demonstrated that circulating viruses were highly diverse and clustered in distinct clades, with co-circulation of clades from the same genotype. Our analyses also suggest that Panamanian strains were related to viruses from different regions of the Americas, suggesting a continuous exchange of viruses within the Americas.

scholarly journals Social isolation in chronic kidney disease and the role of mobility limitation

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 602-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjani N Moorthi ◽  
Kenzie Latham-Mintus
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Mobility Limitation ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Difficulty Walking

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with multiple comorbidities, hospitalizations and mortality. In older adults, social isolation and poor mobility contribute to these outcomes. We tested the hypothesis that a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (CKD Stages 3b–5) is associated with social isolation and that mobility limitation is a key driver of social isolation in patients with CKD. Methods Data from 9119 participants, ages 57–107 years, from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study’s Venous Blood Study were used for this cross-sectional analysis. Kidney function measured by estimated GFR (eGFR) was the predictor and patients were classified as CKD Stages 3b–5 or non-CKD Stages 3b–5 (eGFR ≤45 or >45 mL/min/1.73 m2). The outcomes tested were mobility limitation assessed by self-report and social contact and participation measures assessed by the Psychosocial Life Questionnaire. The associations among kidney function, mobility and social isolation were examined with logistic and ordinary least squares regression, adjusted for covariates and testing for interaction with gender. Results Participants with CKD Stages 3b–5 (N = 999) compared with non-CKD Stages 3b–5 were older (74.9 versus 68.2 years, P < 0.001) and fewer were female (15% versus 58%, P < 0.001). CKD Stages 3b–5 were associated with higher odds of difficulty walking several blocks [odds ratio 1.44 (95% confidence interval 1.16–1.78)]. Participants with CKD Stages 3b–5 had reduced social contact and social participation (B = −0.23, P < 0.05; B = −0.62, P < 0.05, respectively). Women with CKD Stages 3b–5 were 2.7 times more likely to report difficulty walking several blocks than men with CKD Stages 3b–5, but social isolation in CKD Stages 3b–5 did not vary by gender. In CKD Stages 3b–5 patients, mobility limitation was a risk factor for reduced social contact and participation but did not explain the poor social contact and participation. Conclusion CKD Stages 3b–5 was associated with both mobility limitation and social isolation in a population-based study of older adults. In contrast to older adults without CKD Stages 3b–5, mobility limitation did not explain the lack of social contact and poor social participation, suggesting other factors are more important.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS FOR AGING ADULTS: PANACEA, PLAGUE, OR BEEN THERE, DONE THAT?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S210-S211
Author(s):  
Neil H Charness
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Social Media Networks ◽  
The World ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Aging Adults

Abstract Billions of people around the world rely on (or are addicted to) technology-based social networks such as Facebook. At first glance, particularly for aging adults with mobility challenges, internet-based networking seems like a panacea. At second glance, navigating through the thicket of ‘bots’, fraudsters and “fake friends” may turn out to be a plague. At third glance, technology-based interaction platforms are not that new (telegraph, telephone) and not that unusual. I examine the population-level trends in social network use by aging adults and discuss a recent CREATE intervention study, PRISM, that used a computer-based platform to try to reduce social isolation and loneliness in older adults at risk for social isolation.

scholarly journals Social Contact and Wellness Outcomes for Older Adults in Different Residential Settings

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 407-407
Author(s):  
Joseph Bihary ◽  
Jennifer Smith ◽  
Dugan O’Connor ◽  
Ajla Basic ◽  
Janis Sayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract More frequent social contact with others has been shown to be associated with positive well-being outcomes for older adults, who may be at increased risk of loneliness or isolation. The current study investigates whether the potential benefits of social contact might vary by social contact medium and by residence type (senior living (SL) settings vs. the broader community). 5,148 older adults residing in SL communities completed surveys on health and well-being. Data were combined with responses from 1,000 demographically similar older adults residing outside SL settings who participated in a similar study. Participants in both studies reported their frequency of social contact with friends (4 types: in-person meet-ups, speaking by phone, writing or emailing, and communicating via social media), subjective overall health, and life satisfaction. Results of multilevel regression analyses revealed that more frequent in-person social contact with friends was associated with more positive ratings of overall health only for participants in non-SL settings, but not those in SL. More frequent in-person social contact was also associated with higher life satisfaction, and this effect was stronger for non-SL participants. More frequent contact by phone and written letters/emails was associated with better ratings of overall health, regardless of residence type. In contrast, more frequent social media use was associated with lower ratings of overall health. Analyses controlled for age, gender, education, marital status, income, chronic health conditions, and depressive symptoms. The observed patterns of results speak to the possible protective benefits of social engagement for older adults in different residence settings.

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