Analytic techniques included calculating frequencies, manifest content analysis and meta-summary.

Data were extracted to describe the interventions and strategies, and the context of the included studies. Standardized inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in a set of 44 studies (reported in 54 articles) for further analysis.

Six electronic databases were searched from inception in July 2015, resulting in 5530 unique records. MethodsĪ comprehensive scoping review was conducted. The purpose of this review was to map the literature on interventions and strategies to affect loneliness/social connectedness for older adults. The nature of interventions aimed to affect the distinct, subjective concepts of loneliness/social connectedness has not been clearly described.

Older adults are at risk for loneliness, and interventions to promote social connectedness are needed to directly address this problem.