Loneliness in the Quality of Non-institutionalized Elderly People

Abstract

Abstract. Objectives: This study aims to understand the interference of loneliness in the quality of life of non-institutionalized elderly people over 65 years old. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out according to the protocol of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The searchwas carried out in two search engines (Bon and EBSCO) to access electronic databases for collecting articleswith the latest scientific evidence. Published studies were evaluated between January 2015 and October 2019. Results: Six articleswere selected, 5 of quantitative nature (4 crosssectional studies, 1 randomized controlled study) and 1 qualitative study, which relate the interference of loneliness in the quality of life of non-institutionalized older adults. Conclusions: The loneliness strongly interferes with quality of life, as they are inversely proportional. The higher the perceived levels of loneliness, the lower the quality of life of the elderly people. Technology can be an important tool in combating loneliness.