LIVING ALONE AND THE RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION AND PATIENT READMISSION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Karina Brzózka; Jakub Leszczyński-Czeczatka; Łucja Komisarczyk; Jakub Głogowski-Kulasza; Rafael Petrosjan; Nikola Murawska; Alicja Piełuć; Kinga Zaorska; Adrianna Krupska; Zuzanna  Pyrka; Weronika Cionżyńska; Katarzyna Ledwożyw

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5626

Authors

Karina Brzózka Clinical Emergency Ward, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2338-1827
Jakub Leszczyński-Czeczatka Clinical Emergency Ward, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9337-8226
Łucja Komisarczyk Clinical Emergency Ward, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1874-4269
Jakub Głogowski-Kulasza Clinical Emergency Ward, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6035-6713
Rafael Petrosjan Clinical Emergency Ward, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7370-5309
Nikola Murawska Clinical Emergency Ward, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5632-9739
Alicja Piełuć Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1150-2241
Kinga Zaorska Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0637-892X
Adrianna Krupska Non-Public Healthcare Provider “Przychodnia” Medical Clinic Ltd., Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1710-1381
Zuzanna Pyrka Szpital Miejski Specjalistyczny im. Gabriela Narutowicza w Krakowie, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5688-1036
Weronika Cionżyńska Szpital im. Stefana Żeromskiego w Krakowie, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1464-4957
Katarzyna Ledwożyw Miejski Szpital Specjalistyczny im. G. Narutowicza, Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6911-3001

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5626

Keywords:

Loneliness, Social Isolation, Hospitalization, Readmission

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognized as significant social determinants of health among older adults. As populations age, a growing number of individuals live alone, which has been associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes and increased use of healthcare services. The purpose of this literature review was to examine the relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and the risk of hospitalization and hospital readmission, especially among older adults, and to identify factors that may reduce this risk.

Material and method: A narrative literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed articles identified in PubMed and related databases. The review included longitudinal cohort studies, population-based analyses, and retrospective observational studies that examined loneliness or living arrangements in relation to hospitalization, emergency department use, or readmission outcomes among adults, with a focus on older populations.

Results: Most reviewed studies demonstrated a statistically significant association between loneliness or living alone and increased risk of hospitalization, emergency department visits, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Although one study did not find an increased hospitalization risk among community-dwelling older adults living alone, the majority of evidence supported loneliness and household context as independent predictors of healthcare utilization. Mental health problems, limited social support, and reduced access to in-home care were identified as important mediating factors.

Conclusions: Loneliness and social isolation are important predictors of hospitalization and rehospitalization, especially among older adults. Incorporating social factors into routine healthcare assessment and implementing interventions that strengthen social support and access to home-based care may reduce hospital utilization and improve health outcomes in aging populations.

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