Exploring The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on Cognitive Health Amongst the Geriatric Population: A Comparative Study

Social isolation and loneliness are significant concerns for the geriatric population, often leading to cognitive deficits and dementia. This comparative study aimed to understand the impact of social isolation and loneliness on cognitive health in older adults in India and investigate differences in loneliness and cognitive health scores between elderly individuals living with their families and those residing in old age homes. A quasi-experimental research design was employed, with a sample size of 102 older adults (64 females and 38 males) above the age of 60. The UCLA Loneliness Scale (version 3) and Mini Cog Test were used to collect quantitative data, which was analyzed using regression analysis. The results revealed a significant impact of loneliness and social isolation on cognitive health (R = .358, p < .001) and a significant difference in the impact of loneliness on cognitive health between people living with their families and those living in old age homes (p < .05). The findings emphasize the need for interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness in the geriatric population, particularly for those living in old age homes. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating interventions aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness in this population.