Interventions to Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Informal Caregivers of People With Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review

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Abstract
The role of informal caregivers has become increasingly central in the context of global population aging and the rising prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. Caring for individuals with cognitive decline is frequently associated with loneliness and social isolation among caregivers. This systematic review aims to identify and critically analyze interventions designed to reduce perceived loneliness and social isolation in informal caregivers of people with cognitive decline. A systematic search was conducted across five databases: PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Scopus. Eligible studies involved informal caregivers of individuals with cognitive decline, targeted loneliness or social isolation, employed quantitative and/or qualitative outcome measures, and were published in peer‐reviewed journals in English between 2000 and 2026. Books, dissertations, and systematic reviews were excluded. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklists selected according to each study’s design. Data synthesis was performed through tabulation and narrative analysis. The PRISMA guidelines were followed throughout the review process. Thirty‐eight studies, both quantitative and qualitative, met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis identified two overarching categories of caregivers’ needs and six primary categories of interventions, many of which showed a positive impact on caregivers’ psychological and social well‐being. Dementia Cafés, counseling services, and group‐based activities proved particularly effective in addressing caregivers’ needs for informal support, self‐preservation, and personal development. Conversely, needs related to formal social support were only partially met by the available interventions. The findings suggest that a range of support strategies is currently available to promote the social well‐being of informal caregivers. However, the methodological limitations of the included studies constrain the generalizability of these conclusions. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions in more diverse populations and across different stages of cognitive decline.

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