Loneliness in Older Adults With Visual Impairment

Abstract

Loneliness in older adults with visual impairment was explored to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon. A collective case study explored 3 participants' occupational performance histories, functional visual performance, and loneliness. Seven themes emerged: pride in employment; adaptation to visual impairment through devices and environmental modifications; engaging and participating in meaningful occupations; enjoying companionship; engaging and delegating home maintenance tasks appropriately; engaging in routines; and engaging in preventive care. A significant finding at P = .05 (r =−0.998) was found between the overall scores on the Revised Self-Report Assessment of Functional Visual Performance and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) using Pearson's correlations. The findings support addressing loneliness in older adults with visual impairment as the levels of functional impairment correlate with loneliness.