Neda Agahi

Research problem and specific questionsLoneliness is associated with poor health and mortality, but the causal relationships between loneliness, mental health and care use are not well understood, and there is a lack of evidence-based methods for care professionals to recognise and respond to loneliness. This programme takes a holistic perspective on loneliness in older adults, how loneliness is understood and experienced, and its relationship with mental health. Our work packages (WPs) will address research gaps to support evidence-based approaches to identify, assess and address to loneliness in practice by:examining inequalities in risk factors and consequences of loneliness, and causal associations between loneliness, mental health and careexploring subjective experiences of loneliness and mental health from a life-course perspectivedeveloping an instrument to assess loneliness in practicecreating a loneliness literacy training programme for care professionalsenhancing care professionals’ response to lonelinessData and methodIn WP1, panel studies will be combined with register data to examine inequalities in loneliness and its causal associations with mental health and care use. In WP2, older adults’ experiences of loneliness and mental health will be explored in interviews, which will also support the development of an instrument to assess loneliness. In WP3, researchers and care professionals will co-design a loneliness literacy training programme to improve care professionals’ competencies to address loneliness. WP4 integrates research across WPs, embeds it in practice and promotes dissemination of findings. Workshops with stakeholders will explore how to enhance care professionals’ response to loneliness.Relevance and utilisationOur research will advance the understanding of risk factors and avoidable consequences of loneliness, produce the first instrument for assessing loneliness validated for use with older adults in Swedish care practice, and develop a unique loneliness literacy programme for care professionals. Close collaboration with stakeholders will ensure our findings can support social care and civil society in addressing loneliness and mitigate its negative outcomes.Plan for project realisationThe programme will be realised by an experienced multidisciplinary team with expertise in loneliness, mental health, gender and socioeconomic inequality, health literacy and care in old age. Collaboration with pensioner and mental health organisations and authorities ensures representation of older adults and the programme’s relevance and feasibility for practice. Scientific quality is supported by an international academic reference group. There will be thorough dissemination to academic, policy and practice communities.A budget of SEK 23.8 million includes staff costs (SEK 15.1 million)

running costs (e.g., meetings, fieldwork, dissemination, administration, IT, offices

SEK 4.4 million)

and indirect costs (SEK 4.3 million).

Research problem and specific questionsWorldwide increases in longevity and falling fertility rates have created significant demographic transformations in society. As a consequence, the proportion of older adults (defines as &gt

65 years) in the world is greater than ever before. We purport to develop an accessible, preventive intervention that can be delivered to older adults with early, subclinical/mild symptoms of varying forms of mental health problems. When developed, it could be easily implemented in primary care, in geriatric clinics and all other sites frequented by older adults, whether in India or Sweden.Research questions are:Is the culturally adapted digital intervention Healthy Ageing with Mental Health safe and feasible to use among older adults in Sweden and India?What is the experience of older adults in Sweden and India using the digital intervention?What preliminary effect does the digital intervention have on outcomes (e.g. quality of life, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, alcohol use, somatic health)?Data and methodWe propose to develop and systematically evaluate the digital intervention Healthy Ageing with Mental Health which aims to provide psychoeducation and prevention of common mental health problems among older adults in Sweden and India. Plan for project realisationThe intervention will be based on cognitive behavior therapy and consist of four weekly self-help modules focusing on 1) low mood 2) anxiety and somatic symptom preoccupation, 3) sleep and circadian rhythm and 4) addictive habits (including use of prescription medications). Psychoeducation about the importance of physical activity, nutrition and how these may interact with mental health problems will be an integral part of the intervention, as will information about ageism.RelevanceThe intervention developed in this project will address not one but several common mental health problems among older adults. The bilateral aspect of the project will provide further important insights into how digital interventions may be adapted to older adults in both collectivist and individualistic cultures, where one central difference is the view on older adults.