“Being alone is no fun”- experiences with loneliness by older people: a qualitative study

Purpose: Loneliness is increasingly prevalent in all age groups and has become a public health problem for older people. Moreover, loneliness can have a negative impact on psychological and physical well-being. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate older adults’ experiences of loneliness and explore their barriers and strategies to overcome their loneliness. Methods: A purposive sample of older adults (aged ≥60 years) participated in a semi-structured interview. The interviews were conducted between May and July 2024. The interviews were analysed using a qualitative content approach. Results: Overall, 27 older people were interviewed in this study. Loneliness was perceived as a temporary or permanent condition and was influenced by biographical context, health, and retirement pay status. Individual coping strategies and external support services were found to help avoid loneliness. Barriers were intra-individual factors such as shame and anxiety, their own health-related situation, and the public transportation situation. Conclusions: Money aspects, successful digital integration, and mobility-limiting diseases might be barriers that need to be considered when strategies against loneliness are developed. Moreover, it would be helpful to announce, use, and develop local structures at the community level to bring people together especially for people who are difficult to reach or feel stigmatized.