Older Adults with Dementia Who Live Alone: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This was a study to: 1) review the literature on older adults with dementia who live alone and 2) summarize the findings.

The search terms were: ‘live alone’ or ‘living alone’ or ‘single person’ and dementia. Twenty-four English and nine Japanese research reports were selected for review.

Major findings from the combined studies were classified: 1) thinking-processes of single older adults with dementia, 2) demographic characteristics, 3) ADL/IADL abilities, 4) social services and networks, 5) harm/risks and 6) risk for incidence and diagnosis of dementia. Additionally, findings indicated the following valuable points for future consideration in suppor t of single older adults with dementia: establishment of earlier intervention with support network; health professionals’ correct diagnoses and assessments of cognitive symptoms and living abilities; evaluation for effectiveness of social service and understanding for thinking-processes and experiences of single older adults with dementia.