Social Networks, Use of Communication Technology, and Loneliness of Frail Older People Ageing in Place in Italy: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The study explored how the lockdown, following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy (February-May 2020), impacted frail older people needing Long-Term Care (LTC) and living alone at home in Brescia and Ancona. These two urban cities were differently affected by the pandemic, with a major degree of infections and deaths in the former. In July-September 2020, a follow-up study of the IN-AGE research project (2019) was carried out in both cities, involving 41 older respondents by telephone, to detect the impact of the health emergency on their social networks, use of communication technology, social isolation, and loneliness. Findings showed that the use of communication tools was overall expanded, and seniors increased telephone (TEL) contacts, especially in Ancona. In both cities, fears for the infection emerged too, and mainly in Ancona than Brescia, several cases of worsened perceived loneliness were detected. Despite the exploratory/descriptive nature of the study, with a not-representative sample of the population and notwithstanding some differences among cities, the findings stressed the risk of isolation and loneliness for seniors living alone. This risk was buffered by the use of communication technology during the lockdown, but more interventions allowing sustainable healthy ageing (HA) in place and enhancing healthy behaviours, especially in emergency situations, are needed.