Impact of Informal Caregiving at Older Ages on Loneliness and Social Networks in Singapore

Older adult informal caregivers are a vulnerable subgroup at a higher risk of loneliness. Although informal caregiving does not impact social networks, older adult informal caregivers experience higher loneliness, i.e., a perceived discrepancy between their actual and desired social relationships compared to non-caregivers. Our study suggests the need for further examination of the underlying mechanisms between informal caregiving at older ages and loneliness, as well as a special focus on older adult caregivers in efforts and interventions to address loneliness at older ages.