Loneliness in assisted living facilities: An exploration of the group process

Abstract

Background

More than one in three older people in assisted living facilities suffer from loneliness that leads to adverse health outcomes. Group work may have the potential to improve residents’ quality of life.

Aims/Objectives

The purpose of this feasibility study was to thoroughly describe a facilitated group process and compare its effects on cognitively impaired (n = 6) and cognitively intact (n = 7) lonely resident groups in assisted living facilities.

Material and Methods

We used a closed, occupational therapy-oriented group model designed for lonely people. The study used a qualitative, multi-method approach. Material included individual and focus group interviews, observations and the facilitators’ field diaries.

Results

Loneliness was reflected in diverse ways in both groups. Meaningful activities in mutual interaction played an important role in empowering the participants and enabling the development of the group process. Group processes had similar, parallel steps, from which the participants seemed to benefit. Surprisingly, the cognitively impaired group progressed towards self-direction more quickly than the cognitively intact group.

Conclusions

A group process with clearly progressing steps revealed that lonely older people are capable of empowerment and self-direction – despite their frailty and cognitive impairment. Facilitators should be familiar with group processes to enable them to progress effectively.

Keywords:

• Loneliness
• group work
• group process
• cognitive impairment
• facilitator
• assisted living facilities

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We thank the Olvi Foundation [grant number 201810048], the Orion Research Foundation [grant number 180044], the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation (no grant number available), and the Miina Sillanpää foundation (no grant number available) for the funding for this study. The funding sources played no role in the design or conduct of the study; in the collection, analysis or interpretation of the data; nor in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript. This research was approved by the Helsinki University Hospital ethics committee (1150/2016) and the committee of Helsinki City (2016-014058). The first author, Anu Jansson (AJ), is an occupational therapist and conducted the recruitment of the participants, made the group arrangements, and collected the data. Each writer played an equal role in writing the manuscript.