Loneliness, adaptation to vision impairment, social support and depression among visually impaired elderly

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of loneliness among visually impaired elderly, and its relations with adaptation to vision loss, received social support and depression. Clients aged 55 years or older who contacted Sensis, a rehabilitation centre for visually impaired people, are approached to take part in this observational study. Exclusion criteria are hearing and cognitive impairments. The participants receive an interview by telephone in which loneliness, adaptation to vision loss, received social support and depression are investigated. The results indicate a high prevalence of loneliness (54%) among visually impaired elderly. Compared to visually impaired elderly who are not lonely, the lonely ones show a poorer adaptation to vision loss (mean = 22.7 (S.D. = 6.79) versus mean = 27.8 (S.D. = 5.32); t = 6.08 (194.84); p = .000), less received social support (mean = 26.3 (S.D. = 5.99) versus 29.4 (S.D. = 4.95); t = 3.30 (136); p = .001) and more feelings of depression (mean 12.9 (S.D. = 6.46) versus mean = 6.7 (S.D. = 4.11); t = − 6.41 (107.28); p = .000). Causality cannot be determined on the basis of this observational study. Nonetheless, regarding the high prevalence of loneliness among visually impaired elderly, interventions aimed at reducing this loneliness seem to be highly indicated.