Combatting Social Isolation Among Older Adults in a Time of Physical Distancing: The COVID-19 Social Connectivity Paradox.

Social isolation is an important public health issue that has gained recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the risks posed to older adults based on physical distancing. The primary purposes of this article are to provide an overview of the complex interconnectedness between social isolation, loneliness, and depression while introducing the COVID-19 Connectivity Paradox, a new concept used to describe the conflicting risk/harm continuum resulting from recommended physical distancing. In this context, examples will be provided for practical and feasible community-based models to improve social connectivity during COVID-19 by adjusting the processes and modalities used to deliver programs and services to older adults through the aging social services network. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for clinical and community-based organizations to unite and form inter-sectorial partnerships to maintain the provision of services and programs for engaging and supporting older adults during this difficult time of physical distancing and shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders. The aging social services network provides a vital infrastructure for reaching older underserved and/or marginalized persons across the U.S. to reduce social isolation. Capitalizing on existing practices in the field, older adults can achieve distanced connectivity to mitigate social isolation risk while remaining at safe physical distances from others.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Social Isolation Scale in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social isolation is known to be detrimental to the health of older adults, yet there is no brief instrument to measure it. The objective was to describe the psychometric testing of a brief instrument constructed from theoretical underpinnings to measure social isolation in older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A sample of 9,245 participants, all aged 60 years and older, was obtained from 44 states in the United States. Summary descriptive statistics were calculated, followed by exploratory factor analysis using Geomin rotation and subsequently confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). After finding the best model, differential item functioning (DIF) was conducted using a multiple indicator multiple cause structural equation model to determine if item responses differed by gender or race after controlling for level of social isolation. Internal consistency was calculated and validity was assessed by correlating factor scores with 2 external measures. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis resulted in all items having statistically significant loadings. CFA showed the 2-factor model demonstrated excellent fit (CFI = 0.997, RMSEA = .038). The 2 factors were labeled connectedness and belongingness. After adjusting for demographic variables, no evidence suggested DIF. Internal consistency was good (alpha = .77) and the scale moderately correlated with the Social Network Index (r = .47). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The Social Isolation Scale has been shown to be an effective measure of social isolation in older adults. Using this concise instrument to quickly measure social isolation in a fast-paced health care environment would be beneficial to health care providers and patients.