1PhD Scholar, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research; Vice Principal, Vel Nursing College, Periyaplayam Thiruvallur Dt. Address: Plot No:95, Kumaran City, Lakshmipuram, Pammadhukulam village, Redhills 600052, Thiruvallur Dt, Tamilnadu, India. E-mail: gmramya2324@gmail.com
2RN, RM, M.Sc(N), Ph.D(N), Vice Principal Cum Nursing Research Officer, Research Guide, Meenakshi College of Nursing, Chennai. Address: Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, No.12, Vembuliamman Koil Street, West K.K.nagar, Chennai - 600 078, Tamilnadu, India. Email: vp@mcon.ac.in
Conflict of interest statement: The author has no conflict of interest
HIGHLIGHTS:
The elderly who are living in old age homes experienced
• Moderate & Severe loneliness
• lower quality of life
Loneliness and quality of life have a significant negative correlation
Introduction: The elderly population is becoming more significant around the world, and the ever-increasing elderly population is one of the most difficult problems in the fields of health and welfare. According to the latest UN data, it is projected to grow to 1.7 billion by 2054. Asia, the world's most populous continent, is at the heart of this change, with its elderly population expected to more than double between 2015 and 2050. Loneliness is an important, yet neglected, social determinants for people of all ages, especially older people and have a serious impact on quality of life and longevity. This study aimed to assess loneliness and quality of life and their correlation among the elderly in selected old age homes.
Methodology: A quantitative approach and cross-sectional design were used. The elderly who reside in old age homes (n=110) were chosen randomly based on the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. DeJong Gierveld's Loneliness Scale and Older People's Quality of Life Scale were used to assess loneliness and quality of life.
Results and discussion: The study findings revealed that 60.9 % of them had moderate loneliness and 21.8 % had severe loneliness.65 % of the elderly had a lower quality of life. Loneliness and quality of life were negatively correlated. (r=-0.324).
Conclusion: Loneliness negatively affects the quality of life in old age. Elderly people living alone must be evaluated as a high-risk group, and thus, policymakers and health personnel should be aware of the factors that can cause loneliness.
Key terms: Loneliness, quality of life, elderly, old age home
How to cite this article: Ramya GM, Jayabharathi B. Loneliness and quality of life among the elderly in selected settings- A cross-sectional study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(11s): 492-496. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.11s.49
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None declared