Health service use associated with loneliness and social isolation among older adults in Australia

Abstract

Abstract Background Loneliness and social isolation among older adults are associated with a significant health burden. However, less is known about the impact of loneliness and social isolation on health service use (HSU). The aim of this study is to examine whether loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased HSU among older adults in Australia. Methods Data were derived from three waves (2009, 2013, and 2017) of the nationally representative longitudinal Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) survey from individuals aged 65 years and older. Outcomes included health professional visits and hospital admissions in the past year. Generalized estimating equations were used to investigate longitudinal associations between the experience of loneliness and/or social isolation with HSU. Results Compared to older adults who neither experienced loneliness nor social isolation, loneliness was significantly associated with more General Practitioner (GP) visits (incident rate ratio [IRR] = 1.13, 95%-CI [1.05, 1.23] and more hospital admissions (IRR = 1.29, 95%-CI [1.11,1.50)). Social isolation was associated with more GP visits (IRR = 1.14, 95%-CI [1.05,1.29]). Experiencing both loneliness and social isolation was associated with more GP visits (IRR = 1.44, 95%-CI [1.04–1.97]) and more hospitalisations (IRR = 1.75, 95%-CI [1.2, 2.56]). Conclusions Loneliness and social isolation among older adults were significantly associated with increased health service use, including more visits to GPs and higher hospital admission rates. The findings highlight the need to address these factors for improved health outcomes and potential reduction in healthcare costs.