Though loneliness is a problem for all age groups, the rate at which the elderly population is affected by the issue is very high. Various loneliness cases have been reported in the past in different elderly nursing homes. Socialization is an essential aspect of a healthy aging process, and nurses represent one of the dominant teams that provide services to the elderly and lonely populations. The primary purpose of this scoping review is to examine the nurses’ understanding of loneliness among the elderly.
The Rationale for the Review
To ensure the effective wellbeing of elderly adults, healthcare providers at different levels of service and care contexts should meet their respective direct needs. Previous studies reveal that nurses are willing to concentrate on first-hand problems among the elderly which leads to loneliness. Existing research shows that it is a great challenge to spare enough time and space for the elderly populations under their care . Therefore, nurses are often compelled to concentrate on other practice duties while neglecting their relationship with the elderly patient which leads to loneliness. The issue of loneliness among the elderly populations covers both the aspects of suffering from either subjective or objective loneliness. This review is a starting point in examining the concept of loneliness among the elderly, the perception of loneliness among nurses, and the necessary approaches to improving elderly healthcare