Characteristics of those at risk of social isolation (n = 397) by living alone versus not living alone.
| Living alone n (%) | Not living alone n (%) | P-value (χ2) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged ≥75 years | 113/190 (59.5) | 95/197 (48.2) | 0.030 |
| Female | 133/190 (70.0) | 85/197 (43.1) | <0.001 |
| Basic education only | 136/188 (72.3) | 131/196 (66.8) | 0.240 |
| State pension only | 57/189 (30.2) | 85/196 (43.4) | 0.010 |
| Depressed mood | 48/188 (25.5) | 66/195 (33.8) | 0.080 |
| Memory impairment | 38/174 (21.8) | 31/188 (16.5) | 0.200 |
| ≥Two chronic conditions | 123/184 (66.8) | 112/192 (58.3) | 0.090 |
| ≥Four repeat medications | 56/177 (31.6) | 66/188 (35.1) | 0.480 |
| Needs help with one or more BADLs | 28/189 (14.8) | 22/195 (11.3) | 0.300 |
| Needs help with one or more IADLs | 105/178 (59.0) | 87/193 (45.1) | 0.010 |
| Decreasing functional ability | 91/177 (51.4) | 81/183 (44.3) | 0.180 |
| Multiple falls in previous 12 months | 28/174 (16.1) | 20/187 (10.7) | 0.130 |
| Fear of falling | 85/183 (46.4) | 54/190 (28.4) | <0.001 |
| One episode of in-patient care in previous 12 months | 9/190 (4.7) | 11/197 (5.6) | 0.710 |
| Six doctor consultations | 41/190 (21.6) | 43/197 (21.8) | 0.950 |
| At risk of hospital admission | 59/190 (31.1) | 91/197 (46.2) | 0.002 |
| Poor and/or fair health | 72/190 (37.9) | 77/196 (39.3) | 0.080 |
BADLs = basic activities of daily living. IADLs = instrumental activities of daily living.