Treatment of Social Isolation and Loneliness in a Sample of Visually Impaired Elderly Persons

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an outreach program for 84 isolated elderly persons who had been legally blind for many years. Visual impairment and restriction of environment is reported to contribute to varying degrees of loneliness, depression, and social isolation. Group therapy by telephone was provided to a sample of 42 elderly blind veterans to provide a format for problem solving and treatment for affective disorder related to isolation. Significant decreases in loneliness and increase in activity level were attributed to therapeutic intervention by telephone.