Loneliness and social isolation: What role can Meeting Centres for people affected by dementia in the United Kingdom play?

Bray, Jennifer ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1315-7643 and Evans, Shirley ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6158-1433 (2025) Loneliness and social isolation: What role can Meeting Centres for people affected by dementia in the United Kingdom play? Working with Older People. ISSN Print: 1366-3666 Online: 2042-8790 (In Press)

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Abstract

Loneliness and social isolation are known issues for older people, particularly those living with dementia. As evidence-based social clubs helping people affected by dementia adjust to the changes that a diagnosis of dementia brings, Meeting Centres have the potential to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
Between May 2019 and December 2023, 29 Meeting Centres participated in data collection activities capturing demographics of members and carers. Loneliness data captured at six-month intervals were analysed using paired t-tests.
Over 1020 members and nearly 700 carers were supported by the 29 Meeting Centres. Attending a Meeting Centre had a positive impact on reducing loneliness and social isolation for members, with female members most likely to experience benefits. Similar benefits were not seen for carers, likely due to less participation in activities. While Meeting Centres play an important role in addressing loneliness and social isolation, greater impact may be possible by increasing their appeal to men and younger members, and encouraging active engagement and participation from carers, particularly those who are male and/or older.
The Meeting Centre network is ever-expanding with around 70 Meeting Centres operating across the UK. This study is the first to bring together data from those Meeting Centres engaging with data collection.

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