Feeling Lonely? Preferences for Support Programs to Reduce Loneliness Among Older Adults in Australia: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Speaker: Dr Mesfin Genie

Affiliation: University of Newcastle

Zoom: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/82603079317

Abstract: Loneliness among older adults is a growing public health concern, contributing to increased mortality risk, cognitive decline, and rising healthcare costs. Despite the availability of social support programs, many remain underutilised. This seminar presents findings from a Discrete Choice Experiment designed to quantify older adults' preferences for key features of loneliness support programs in Australia. The study identifies preferred program attributes - including support type, delivery mode, frequency, and accessibility - and estimates older adults' willingness to pay for these features. Results indicate a strong preference for community engagement programs, in-person interactions, and weekly sessions, with variations based on loneliness severity. The results suggest the need for tailored, cost-effective, and locally accessible interventions to improve participation, reduce loneliness-related burdens, and improve well-being. The seminar will also introduce LonelyLessAustralia, a web-based Decision Aid Tool designed to support program uptake, evaluate and optimise intervention strategies for reducing loneliness among older adults, and assess the financial viability (cost-benefit) of various support programs.