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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
Factors associated with loneliness of noninstitutionalized and institutionalized older adults
Maria-Eugenia Prieto-Flores1, Maria João Forjaz, Gloria Fernandez-Mayoralas
1Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain. mprieto@isciii.es
Objective:
First, to seek if sociodemographic and health factors contribute differentially to the explanation of loneliness in institutionalized and noninstitutionalized older adults; and second, to analyze the influence of institutionalization on loneliness.
Method:
This work was based on two surveys of older adults aged 60 years or more in Spain. A group of 234 community-dwelling people and 234 nursing homes residents were selected (n = 468). Logistic regression models were applied using the six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale as dependent variable.
Results:
Depression was associated with loneliness in both populations. Sex and marital status contributed to explain loneliness among those living at home, whereas gathering with family, friends, and neighbors showed a significant effect in the institutionalized group. Institutionalization per se showed a strong effect on loneliness.
Discussion:
Findings have potential implications for targeting older adults at risk for loneliness.
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