Frailty and social isolation before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among older adults: A path analysis

Abstract

Aim

To explore the prevalence of social isolation among Japanese community-dwelling older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as determine how family and friend connections before and during the pandemic affected frail older adults during the pandemic.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

A total of 852 community-dwelling older adults in Hokkaido and Tokyo, Japan were surveyed conducted between April and November 2021 using convenience sampling. The Lubben social network scale-6, frailty screening index, and geriatric depression scale were used to assess social isolation, frailty and depression, respectively. A path analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of social isolation on frailty.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 76.8 ± 6.6 years. Overall, 46% and 59% of participants were socially isolated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Frailty was found in 19% of participants during the pandemic. Friends and family connectedness before the pandemic had no direct relationship with frailty; only friend connectedness affected frailty indirectly via depression. Family connectedness during the pandemic had a significant, negative and direct relationship with frailty.

Conclusion

The findings show that connectedness with family and friends is critical for older people's physical and mental health.

Impact

Nurses in the community should consider these findings to reduce mental health problems and physical decline among older adults. It is important to identify older adults who are socially isolated from their families or friends and provide resources to help them build relationships within their communities.

Patient or Public Contribution

Community centre staff and community volunteers assisted in data collection. The public was not involved in data analysis, interpretation or manuscript preparation.