Reducing Isolation among Inner-City Elders: An Outcome Evaluation

Abstract

The research reported here evaluates outcomes of an intervention designed to reduce isolation and improve health and quality of life within a multiracial population of elders in Seattle. Carried out by a coalition of community groups, this intervention aimed at linking potentially isolated older people with individual peers, individuals outside their own age group, and social, volunteer, and community groups. A 3-year, longitudinal study was conducted on 87 elders. A statistically significant relationship was found between participation in the intervention and group attendance at least 1 year after the intervention; a near-significant relationship was found between participation in the intervention and contact with non-elders. No relationships were found between the intervention and health status or quality of life, although, such relationships may be detectable in longer term follow-up studies.