Understanding social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Impacts on health and nursing outcomes
26 Mar 2026, 12:30 - 14:00
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Join us for an insightful webinar exploring how social isolation and loneliness affect older adults, and the crucial role nursing practice plays in recognising and addressing these challenges.
Join us for an insightful webinar exploring how social isolation and loneliness affect older adults, and the crucial role nursing practice plays in recognising and addressing these challenges.
This session brings together two experts who will share evidence, practical skills, and best-practice approaches to support healthier ageing and improve patient outcomes.
Speaker 1: Dr Amy Drahota
Associate Professor, University of Portsmouth
Dr Amy Drahota is a specialist in health and care evidence and evaluation, with over 20 years’ research experience focused on falls prevention, healthy ageing environments, and social support in later life. For the past six years, she has led evaluations of local services designed to reduce loneliness in older adults.
As Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead (Research), Amy is committed to involving people and communities in health research. She also manages a public involvement network and teaches research methods, evidence-based practice, and innovation in nursing.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the difference between social isolation and loneliness, and how these relate to living alone and engagement with others.
- Describe the prevalence of loneliness in older adults and how trends have changed over time.
- Recognise risk factors for social isolation and loneliness, and understand their impact on nursing practice.
Speaker 2: Professor June Andrews
Professor June Andrews FRCN FCGI is an internationally recognised dementia expert whose work has had a major impact on healthcare across the UK and globally. She works independently to improve dementia care and the health and social care of older people.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the relationship between loneliness and dementia, including how it influences cognitive decline, wellbeing, and recovery.
- Recognise clinical and behavioural signs of loneliness and use simple screening questions to support sensitive conversations.
- Apply practical interventions across hospital, community, and care home settings to strengthen social connection within whole-person care.
Megan Musson
megan.musson@rcn.org.uk
Online
Page last updated - 06/03/2026
