[Loneliness among the frail elderly and possibilities for intervention by primary care caregivers. Report of an inventory study in 2 Amsterdam neighborhoods].

In Amsterdam in 1987 an inventory was drawn up of factors that practitioners (n = 39) and volunteers (n = 22) associated with loneliness among the elderly. Three groups of non-institutionalized old elderly (80 years and older) served as respondents (total n = 100). Some of the factors that the helpers mentioned, such as reported health problems, not having children and dissatisfaction with housing conditions are actually found to be related to loneliness. Other factors such as gender, marital status and the presence of children, relatives and friends in the neighbourhood had no association with loneliness. Although not all the factors mentioned were related to loneliness, when practitioners assumed an older person to be lonely, their assessment was rather correct. Practitioners and volunteers claimed to use a broad scale of interventions where loneliness was concerned. Their help varied from practical to psycho-geriatric care. Clients often did not recognize such help as being directed at their loneliness. We refer to this as 'latent' help. The effectiveness of interventions for loneliness can be enhanced by more openness in the helping situation. Moreover the success of interventions seemed to be thwarted by reluctance on the part of helpers to be more critical about their own behaviour. Improvement of social contacts is not the only way to help the alleviation of feelings of loneliness among the oldest old. Emphasizing the merits of nonsocial activities can be an additional way to help.