The Prevalence of Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults Residing in Rural Utah Communities.

This article focuses on assessing the prevalence of social isolation and loneliness among older adults receiving home health services in rural Utah communities. Using validated surveys including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, the Duke Social Support Index, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Brief Quality of Life Survey, the study found a relatively low prevalence of loneliness among 41 predominantly White, female participants with an average age of 75.6 years. However, higher loneliness scores were significantly correlated with lower satisfaction with health and overall quality of life. The study highlights the feasibility of integrating standardized loneliness assessments into home care intake processes and calls for policy changes to implement person-centered interventions tailored to older adults' preferences to mitigate the physical and psychological effects of social isolation in rural settings.