Ageing with chronic conditions and older persons’ experience of social connections: a qualitative descriptive study

Cristina Thompson; Elizabeth Halcomb; Malcolm Masso; Amy Montgomery

doi:10.1071/PY24019

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Ageing with chronic conditions and older persons’ experience of social connections: a qualitative descriptive study

Cristina Thompson

^A ^* , Elizabeth Halcomb

^A , Malcolm Masso ^B and Amy Montgomery

^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.

^B Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: cjt54@uowmail.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 30, PY24019 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY24019

Submitted: 1 March 2024 Accepted: 11 June 2024 Published: 4 July 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Background

Chronic conditions may limit older peoples’ social engagement and wellbeing. Reduced social connections can result in loneliness and social isolation. This study aimed to explore the experience of social connection in older people living with chronic conditions, and the factors influencing their social participation.

Methods

A purposive sample of 19 community-dwelling older Australians (mean age 75.5 years) with one or more chronic conditions participated in a qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews explored participants’ perceptions of their social connections and the potential impact of their chronic conditions. Views about the role of general practice in supporting older persons’ wellbeing were discussed. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis.

Results

Five themes were identified: (1) the experience of loneliness, (2) managing diminishing social contacts, (3) living with chronic conditions, (4) barriers to social connection, and (5) facilitators of social connection. Participants felt that ageing with chronic conditions contributed to loss of function and independence, which limited social connections, and increased loneliness and social isolation. Barriers to social connections included issues with mobility, transport and forming new networks. Families were a primary support, with continued community engagement and general practice support crucial to staying well and socially connected.

Conclusions

Understanding older peoples’ experiences, and the barriers and facilitators of social connections can guide clinicians’ interventions. General practice is a promising intervention point because of its high use by those with chronic conditions to stay well. General practice nurses are well-placed to collaboratively address the barriers older people face in maintaining social connections.

Keywords: chronic conditions, general practice, nursing, loneliness, older adults, qualitative, social connection, social isolation.

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