Adoption of a Comprehensive Public Health Approach to Reduce Isolation and Cognitive Decline among the Elderly: A Narrative Review

Introduction: Cognitive decline among elderly people refers to a decline in memory and decision-making abilities that interferes with daily functioning. The objectives of the current review are to explain different types of isolation among the elderly, establish the linkage between isolation and cognitive decline, enumerate the consequences of isolation and cognitive decline among the elderly, identify barriers that can impact healthcare-seeking behaviors in these individuals, and propose public health recommendations to overcome these earmarked barriers. Methods: An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine, and 47 research articles were identified initially based on the keywords’ cognition, elderly, isolation, and decline in the title alone. These 47 articles were screened for eligibility, and finally, 35 articles were selected based on their suitability with the current review objectives and analyzed. Results: Elderly people who experience isolation and impairment of cognition are exposed to a wide range of barriers affecting their health-seeking behaviors. Acknowledging the rising trends of isolation and cognitive decline among the elderly, the potential implications of these on different aspects of quality of life, and the barriers that limit the delivery of healthcare and welfare services, there is an urgent need to adopt comprehensive public health measures to improve the existing scenario. Conclusion: Elderly people are prone to cognitive decline and isolation due to a wide spectrum of reasons and contributing factors. This calls for the need to adopt comprehensive and multisectoral interventions to minimize the impact of barriers and promote access to healthcare and social welfare services.