Co-author Dr. Shiyang Zhang, of The University of Texas, said: “We were interested to see how older adults react when they are lonely and the effects that different types of social contact had on that loneliness.
“We found that when older adults feel lonely, they are more likely to pick up the phone and call someone.
“But in-person visits were the only type of contact that actually decreased levels of reported loneliness.”
Previous research has shown that regular social contact is important for both mental and physical well-being and contributes to longevity in old age, but loneliness has been linked with heart disease, cognitive decline, and even premature death.
Although many older people face chronic health conditions and mobility issues that may make in-person contact more difficult, the new study suggests that in-person contact is an important component of any widespread effort to address the loneliness epidemic.
The study was conducted in the Austin area of Texas in 2016 and 2017, before the Covid pandemic saw a huge expansion in the use of digital communications and increased levels of isolation for many older people.
But even after the pandemic, a sizable proportion of older adults do not own smartphones or use the internet.
The research team also examined whether social contact was between people with close or weak social ties.
The team found that when older adults felt lonely, they were likely to reach out to their close friends and family.
But the findings showed that in-person contact – even with someone with whom they had only weak ties, such as an acquaintance – was predictive of lower levels of loneliness better than, for example, a phone call from a family member or friend with whom ties were stronger.
Dr. Zhang said: “Although phone contact is available at most times and provides older adults with opportunities for social connections when they feel lonely, it appears that phone contact may not be as effective in reducing loneliness as in-person contact.”
She added: “Phone and digital contact do not provide older adults with the same emotional closeness and comfort as in-person contact. It’s just not a substitute.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
