Factors Predicting Loneliness in Older Adults Attending Delaware Senior Center Programs

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the factors predicting loneliness among older adults attending Delaware senior center programs. METHODS: Participants attending Delaware senior centers completed pre-and post-program surveys, including loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale), self-rated physical and mental health (SF-12), and demographic items. This study was conducted using data from a state-wide evaluation project of 16 senior centers during the summer of 2024. RESULTS: Participants included 234 older adults (median age = 74.0±8.3 years; 205 female, 27 male). Nearly a third of participants visited the senior center 3 - 4 times in the past week (32.9%) or 1 - 2 times (33.1%). Approximately half of participants reported living with a spouse or another family member (55.6%) and 38.5% reported living alone. Three-quarters of participants identified as white (73.1%), and participants reported average physical and mental health (PH:47.8±8.4; MH:50.9±5.3) via the SF-12. Senior center attendance, pre-program loneliness scores, self-rated mental health, self-rated physical health (B=-0.02, p=0.047), and identifying as white were significant predictors of post-program loneliness in older adults attending senior centers. Estimated marginal effects suggested that more frequent attendance may be associated with lower loneliness amongst individuals with higher baseline loneliness. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that more frequent senior center attendance is associated with lower post-program loneliness and highlight the multifaceted nature of loneliness, including the influence of health and demographic factors. POLICY IMPLICATIONS: Resources are needed for senior centers to tailor programs to provide opportunities for social engagement and to increase outreach to older adults at risk for loneliness, as senior centers provide important infrastructure to support healthy aging and mitigate loneliness.