Abstract
Loneliness is an increasingly recognized public health issue, especially among the elderly, where it contributes to the decline in both physical and mental health (WHO Commission on Social Connection, 2024). In the geriatric population, loneliness is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, falls, and overall mortality (Holt-Lunstad, et al. 2015; Millett et al., 2024; National Institute on Ageing, 2019). Loneliness in congregate care settings is often exacerbated by residents' loss of physical mobility, death of spouses, removal of the individual from their neighborhood and community, and reduced autonomy. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these issues, reducing social and recreational activities and leading to heightened feelings of isolation (Millett et al., 2024). To address this, a quality improvement (QI) project was implemented at Providence Brookside Manor Senior Living, in Hood River Oregon. This project aims to reduce residents' loneliness by introducing an intergenerational program. These programs, which have been successfully implemented in many nations such as the UK, Japan, Australia, Spain, and Singapore (Butts & Jarrott, 2021), foster connections between elderly residents and children/ youth from the local community. By facilitating meaningful social engagement, they offer both generations valuable opportunities for companionship, learning, and mutual support. Through these intergenerational interactions, participants can form deep bonds that enhance emotional well-being and provide a renewed sense of purpose for both the young and the elderly (Murayama et al., 2014; Pitkälä et al., 2011; Sharifi, 2024). Data for this project will be collected using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), a validated tool for measuring loneliness levels (Alsubheen, 2023; Maes, 2022). Higher scores on this scale indicate greater levels of reported loneliness. Pre- and post-intervention data will be gathered to evaluate changes in loneliness levels among residents. This QI project aims not only to improve the emotional well-being of residents but also to foster a sense of community, belonging, and purpose within the facility.
Notes
References:
Alsubheen, S., Oliveira, A., Habash, R., Goldstein, R., & Brooks, D. (2023). Measurement properties and cross-cultural adaptation of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale in adults: A systematic review. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000784
Butts, D. M., & Jarrott, S. E. (2021). The Power of Proximity: Co-Locating Childcare and Eldercare Programs. Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://doi.org/10.48558/S0BJ-QM23
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspectives on psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352
Maes, M., Qualter, P., A. Lodder, G. M., & Mund, M. (2022). How (Not) to Measure Loneliness: A Review of the Eight Most Commonly Used Scales. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710816
Millett, G., Franco, G., & Fiocco, A. J. (2024). Understanding the social and leisure needs of lonely and socially isolated older adults living in residential care: a qualitative study. Aging & Mental Health, 28(2), 344– 352. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2258828
Pitkälä, K., Routasalo, P., Kautiainen, H., Sintonen, H., & Tilvis, R. S. (2011). Effects of socially stimulating group intervention on lonely, older people’s cognition: a randomized, controlled trial. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(7), 654–663. https://doi.org/10.1097/jgp.0b013e3181f7d8b0
Sharifi, S., Khorzoughi, K. B., & Rahmati, M. (2024). The Association Between Intergenerational Relationships and Depression among Older Adults: A Comprehensive Systematic Literature review. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 119, 105313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2023.105313
Murayama, Y., Ohba, H., Yasunaga, M., Nonaka, K., Takeuchi, R., Nishi, M., Sakuma, N., Uchida, H., Shinkai, S., & Fujiwara, Y. (2014). The effect of intergenerational programs on the mental health of elderly adults. Aging & Mental Health, 19(4), 306–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.933309
National Institute on Ageing. (2019, April 23). Social isolation and loneliness in older people pose health risks. National Institute on Ageing. Retrieved February 17, 2024, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
WHO Commission on Social Connection. (2024). Social isolation and loneliness: Demographic change and healthy ageing. World Health Organization. Retrieved February 15, 2024,from: https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/demographic-change-and-healthy-ageing/social-isolation-and-loneliness
Sigma Membership
Delta Chi at-Large
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Long-term Care, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Elderly, Aged, Geriatric Population, Loneliness, Congregate Care Settings
Recommended Citation
Bagley, Rachel Elaine; Rodriguez, Yolanda; and Tappert, Jacelyn, "Intergenerational Programs: Reducing Loneliness of Older Adults in Congregate Care Settings" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 62.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/62
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Intergenerational Programs: Reducing Loneliness of Older Adults in Congregate Care Settings
Seattle, Washington, USA
Loneliness is an increasingly recognized public health issue, especially among the elderly, where it contributes to the decline in both physical and mental health (WHO Commission on Social Connection, 2024). In the geriatric population, loneliness is associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, falls, and overall mortality (Holt-Lunstad, et al. 2015; Millett et al., 2024; National Institute on Ageing, 2019). Loneliness in congregate care settings is often exacerbated by residents' loss of physical mobility, death of spouses, removal of the individual from their neighborhood and community, and reduced autonomy. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these issues, reducing social and recreational activities and leading to heightened feelings of isolation (Millett et al., 2024). To address this, a quality improvement (QI) project was implemented at Providence Brookside Manor Senior Living, in Hood River Oregon. This project aims to reduce residents' loneliness by introducing an intergenerational program. These programs, which have been successfully implemented in many nations such as the UK, Japan, Australia, Spain, and Singapore (Butts & Jarrott, 2021), foster connections between elderly residents and children/ youth from the local community. By facilitating meaningful social engagement, they offer both generations valuable opportunities for companionship, learning, and mutual support. Through these intergenerational interactions, participants can form deep bonds that enhance emotional well-being and provide a renewed sense of purpose for both the young and the elderly (Murayama et al., 2014; Pitkälä et al., 2011; Sharifi, 2024). Data for this project will be collected using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), a validated tool for measuring loneliness levels (Alsubheen, 2023; Maes, 2022). Higher scores on this scale indicate greater levels of reported loneliness. Pre- and post-intervention data will be gathered to evaluate changes in loneliness levels among residents. This QI project aims not only to improve the emotional well-being of residents but also to foster a sense of community, belonging, and purpose within the facility.
Description
Loneliness is a public health issue in the elderly, leading to declines in physical and mental health. To address this, a quality improvement project at Providence Brookside Manor in Hood River, Oregon, introduced an intergenerational program, pairing elderly residents with local youth for meaningful engagement. Modeled after programs in Japan and the UK, its impact will be assessed using the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, with pre-and post-intervention data to evaluate change in loneliness.