The pandemic has evidenced the negative mental and physical health outcomes that are associated with isolation and loneliness. This study was undertaken in Australia, where one quarter of the population live alone. Giving our ageing population worldwide, the number of people living alone is set to rise significantly. The research team interviewed five participants, four with stroke-related aphasia and one with primary progressive aphasia, who lived alone. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Four themes were identified: relationships and reliance on others; risk, vulnerability and uncertainty; loneliness and time alone and self-reliance and keeping busy. The authors conclude that living alone does not necessarily mean that people are lonely but does increase the risk of loneliness for people with aphasia. For participants in the study, living alone was complicated and although social connection helped, it was hard to access with aphasia. Importantly, people with aphasia were more vulnerable because of difficulties with self-advocacy. Research exploring the impact of interventions for people with stroke-related aphasia and primary progressive aphasia does not typically focus on the needs of those living alone. To ensure that clinical services can be designed to support people to live alone, without being at risk of loneliness, research must urgently consider this in future intervention studies.
Lonely, so lonely
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