Ageing in place and loneliness of older adults in Shanghai, China

This study examined loneliness experiences of older adults and the relationship between ageing in place and their loneliness from the social resources perspective of social capital in Shanghai, China.

We used the purposive sampling method and conducted face-to-face individual interviews for 21 older adults who were widowed or living alone. A semi-structured interview was carried out based on a pilot-tested interview guide, and the interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Older adults expressed a feeling of 'lonely pain', and themes identified included lack of intimacy and companionship, fear of declining health, loss and death, and a sense of disconnection from the external world. In the context of ageing in place, they mobilised the social capital embedded in the community to cope with loneliness by obtaining support, participating in activities and experiencing the trust and reciprocity that results from social networks. However, inadequate ageing in place services cannot fully alleviate the risk of loneliness for older adults, especially for those who are widowed or living alone.

The social capital embedded in the context of ageing in place in Shanghai partially helps older adults deal with loneliness, and future ageing in place policy and services should be improved to make older adults who wish to stay at home or in a familiar community live safely, autonomously and not feel lonely.