ocial disconnection—a lack of social, emotional and physical engagement with other people—results in isolation and loneliness. Risk factors such as the shrinking of family sizes, lack of family support and declining health have made it hard for older adults to keep up with social and economic activities and maintain social connections, resulting in social disconnection and isolation. The social distancing measures brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated social isolation, especially among the elderly.

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Among socially disconnected
older adults in Singapore

78.8%

are living with family, compared to

14.4%

who are living alone

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A study of 16,943 older people by Professor Koh Woon Puay, from the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme at NUS Medicine and Associate Professor Feng Qiushi of the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences found that among socially disconnected older adults in Singapore, 78.8% are living with family, compared to 14.4% who are living alone.

The research team also studied the factors associated with social isolation in this cohort of senior citizens, who form what is known as the Singapore Chinese Health Study, to examine similar effects among those living alone and those living with their families. The salient findings were:

Interventions

From these findings, Prof Koh recommended targeting community interventions at elderly men living alone, and extending the scope of these interventions to help older adults who are in poor health and living with their families. Despite efforts that the Singapore Government has invested in the area of eldercare which have helped most older people stay socially connected, social alienation is increasingly present due to demographic trends of population ageing and solo-living. Additional efforts are needed to help vulnerable individuals, especially older men.

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1. Low education levels,
cognitive impairment,
fair or poor self-rated health,
depression and limitations with
daily living activities are
independently associated with
social disconnection

2. Men living alone are twice
as likely to experience
social disconnection compared
to women

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Prof Koh said, “Interventions that encourage individual and personal productivity, such as paid work, volunteerism and learning new skills should be promoted among older adults to create opportunities for social interaction and maintenance of cognitive functions.”

A study to see how we age

In addition to social isolation, older adults face increased risk of chronic age-related diseases, as well as gradual loss of bodily functions and independence in activities of daily living. Prof Koh and Assoc Prof Feng are now collaborating with other scientists within NUS and other research institutions to establish the “SG70 Towards Healthy Longevity” cohort study, to examine the effects of biological, lifestyle and socioeconomic factors that prevent people from ageing healthily and productively. The cohort study will recruit 3,000 participants, from the ages of 65 to 75 years old, and belonging to the three major ethnic groups in Singapore. This age group has been identified as belonging to a vulnerable period where the average Singaporean may transition from good health to poor health. The team will study this ageing process in the SG70 participants for the next 10 to 15 years.

The eventual aim of the SG70 cohort study is to gather scientific evidence that will form the basis for intervention studies in the near future that may slow, halt or reverse the ageing process, in order to help people age more healthily, avoid age-related diseases and maintain a good quality of life in their twilight years.