Dementia and loneliness: an Australian perspective

AIM: To explore the perceptions of loneliness according to people with early-stage dementia, living in community and long-term care and also the views of their family carers. BACKGROUND: Research that specifically explores the influence of loneliness on dementia is limited and indicates the prevalence of loneliness and the negative relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline. There is a paucity of research that explores loneliness from the perspective of the person with dementia. DESIGN: A descriptive exploratory qualitative approach was used. METHODS: Data were collected through semi-structured audio-taped interviews. A purposive sample of 70 people with a diagnosis or probable dementia and 73 family carers were recruited from community and long-term care from South East Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: staying connected to others; losing the ability to socially engage; experiencing loneliness; and overcoming loneliness. The results emphasise the importance of familiar human relationships in reducing the feelings of loneliness in people experiencing dementia. CONCLUSIONS: People with dementia are at risk of loneliness, but placing them with unfamiliar people and environments may not improve their situation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Better refinement of care that takes into account the potential for loneliness and an understanding of premorbid social tendency may assist in the implementation of individualised and evidence-based strategies to assist people with dementia to lead a better quality of life. To maintain well-being, the social needs of the person with dementia as well as the family need to be considered.