Social Isolation/loneliness and Mobility Disability Among Older Adults

Purpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review was to investigate how mobility disabilities are related to the current problems of social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Additionally, this review aimed to suggest important perspectives that should be considered in the field of rehabilitation when considering preventive strategies for social isolation and loneliness among older adults.Recent FindingsSocial isolation and loneliness lead to major health problems and serious socioeconomic issues. Therefore, the establishment of strategies to understand the mechanisms of social isolation and loneliness and to prevent or reduce their incidence is strongly desired. There are various definitions of social isolation; however, in recent years, a method that classifies social isolation into four types has been reported. These four categories of social isolation- a lack of conversation, passive support, offering support, and social participation-have been shown to increase loneliness. Mobility impairments associated with geriatric syndromes may increase the number of social isolation experiences and loneliness. To address the issues of social isolation and loneliness appropriately, it may be necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their occurrence and utilize simple assessment tools.SummaryDecreased vision and hearing, the primary symptoms of geriatric syndromes, may increase the risk of mobility disabilities, including driving, among older adults. Mobility disability, including driving, among older adults increases the risk of social isolation and loneliness and causes an increased incidence of disability, care burden, and mortality, thus increasing the need to suggest preventive measures from the perspective of the rehabilitation field.