XXXX and loneliness: an Australian perspective.

@entity1 @entity73 @entity303
AIM: To explore the perceptions of loneliness according to @entity1 with early-stage @entity303 , living in community and long-term care and also the views of their family carers. BACKGROUND: Research that specifically explores the influence of loneliness on @entity303 is limited and indicates the prevalence of loneliness and the negative relationship between loneliness and @entity73 . There is a paucity of research that explores loneliness from the perspective of the @entity1 with @entity303 . DESIGN: A descriptive exploratory qualitative approach was used. METHODS: Data were collected through semi-structured audio-taped interviews. A purposive sample of 70 @entity1 with a diagnosis or probable @entity303 and 73 family carers were recruited from community and long-term care from South East Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: staying connected to others; losing the ability to socially engage; experiencing loneliness; and overcoming loneliness. The results emphasise the importance of familiar @entity1 relationships in reducing the feelings of loneliness in @entity1 experiencing @entity303 . CONCLUSIONS: @entity1 with @entity303 are at risk of loneliness, but placing them with unfamiliar @entity1 and environments may not improve their situation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Better refinement of care that takes into account the potential for loneliness and an understanding of premorbid social tendency may assist in the implementation of individualised and evidence-based strategies to assist @entity1 with @entity303 to lead a better quality of life. To maintain well-being, the social needs of the @entity1 with @entity303 as well as the family need to be considered.
