Virtual friendly visitor program: combatting loneliness in community dwelling older adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Social Work

Background:

• Loneliness is a significant public health concern for older adults, impacting mental and physical well-being.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated loneliness and associated health risks in this population.
• Targeted interventions are crucial to address social isolation in seniors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a Friendly Visitor Program (FVP) aimed at reducing loneliness in older adults.
• To assess the effectiveness of virtual visits facilitated by social work student interns.
• To identify factors influencing program success and participant outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative narrative design for process evaluation and a longitudinal, non-experimental design for outcome evaluation were employed.
• A three-level cross-classified longitudinal growth model was used to analyze changes in loneliness.
• Data were collected to assess participant demographics, program satisfaction, technology comfort, and social network changes.

Main Results:

• The FVP was associated with a reduction in loneliness over time among participants.
• Higher satisfaction with visits and willingness to recommend the program predicted decreased loneliness.
• While social networks improved, greater technology comfort correlated with increased loneliness, suggesting limitations of purely virtual interaction.

Conclusions:

• Friendly visitor interventions show promise in mitigating loneliness among older adults.
• Program optimization should consider participant demographics and the balance between virtual and in-person social engagement.
• Strengthening social networks remains a critical component in combating loneliness in seniors.