Summary
Aging and caregiving are each risk factors for loneliness, but little is known about loneliness among older caregivers. Using the 2020 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), this study examines the relationship between (1) caregiving status and loneliness among older adults; (2) sociodemographic, technology, health, and caregiving characteristics and loneliness among older caregivers; and (3) compared how these variables relate to loneliness among older caregivers of persons with dementia versus non-dementia conditions.
Findings: The findings revealed that 15% of older caregivers experienced loneliness, with dementia caregiving significantly increasing this likelihood. Immigrant caregivers, frequent internet users, and those with poorer self-reported health were at higher risk of experiencing loneliness. Future interventions, such as online social programs that foster social engagement, must be thoughtfully designed to align with the unique situations of older caregivers.
