Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · Oct 1, 2026

Interventions to address loneliness and social isolation in community-dwelling older adults: an umbrella review

By Rossi V, Cavalleri C, Cipolletta S

Social isolation and loneliness significantly affect the physical and mental health of older adults, contributing to cognitive decline, increased morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Addressing these conditions remains a public health priority, prompting the continued development and evaluation of interventions to reduce their impact. This umbrella review aimed to identify, synthesise and critically appraise the existing evidence on interventions aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and meta-analyses published between 2014 and 2025 was conducted in PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed. The search identified 2068 records, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment. A narrative synthesis was conducted to categorise the interventions based on objectives and delivery formats. Five types of interventions were identified: psychosocial, technological, health promotion, multicomponent, and recreational. Psychosocial approaches, complemented by technology or structured leisure activities, appear most effective, particularly when they foster meaningful relationships and enhance coping strategies. Findings suggest that interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness can meaningfully enhance the wellbeing of older adults and should be integrated into community and healthcare service models. However, further research is needed to assess the long-term effects of these interventions, their cost-effectiveness, and their feasibility for large-scale implementation across diverse ageing populations.

doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2026.106439Open accessPubMed 42868917Interventions