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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Aging

Sec. Interventions in Aging

Volume 6 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fragi.2025.1524673

Mapping the global research landscape and trends of older people living alone: A Bibliometric Analysis

Provisionally accepted
Guang-Wei ZhangGuang-Wei Zhang1,2,3*Yu-Dan WuYu-Dan Wu4Jia-Xin DongJia-Xin Dong4Fu-Min YuFu-Min Yu5Zhe-Hao DongZhe-Hao Dong4Wei MaWei Ma6Yue CaiYue Cai1Yu-Qing CaiYu-Qing Cai1Yang MuYang Mu7Xiang CuiXiang Cui4Yi-Ran WangYi-Ran Wang8,9Hui-Jun LiHui-Jun Li8,9Shuang WangShuang Wang1*Nuo ChengNuo Cheng10*
  • 1The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
  • 2Department of Smart Hospital Management, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
  • 3The Internet Hospital Branch of the Chinese Research Hospital Association, Beijing, China
  • 4School of Nursing, China Medical University (China), Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
  • 5Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
  • 6School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
  • 7Director of Research Services, Goodwill Information Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
  • 8Shenyang Medical & Film Science and Technology Co. Ltd, Shenyang, China
  • 9Enduring Medicine Smart Innovation Research Institute, Shenyang, China
  • 10Department of Gynecology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China

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The global aging trend is becoming increasingly severe, leading to a rise in the number of older adults living alone. As research on this population grows, a comprehensive analysis is essential.Objective: This study examines the current state of research on older adults living alone, identifies key trends and emerging topics, and provides a foundation for future investigations.We conducted a subject search in the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection database, retrieving articles related to older adults living alone based on titles, abstracts, and keywords from 1965 to 2024. Using CiteSpace (version 6.4.R1 Advanced), we generated collaborative networks among countries and authors, revealing research hotspots and frontiers in this field.The study identified 740 relevant articles, showing an overall upward trend in publications.South Korea and China emerged as major contributors, though research remains decentralized. A total of 1,136 cited authors contributed to this field. Recent advances include the application of spatial recognition technology and artificial intelligence to prevent hazardous events among older adults living alone, highlighting a shift toward personalized and intelligent care solutions.This study demonstrates that older adults living alone represent an emerging focus in nursing research, yet international collaboration remains limited. The integration of intelligent devices and technologies to address caregiving challenges has become a prominent research hotspot in recent years.

Keywords: solitary, older adults, Citespace, Social Isolation, bibliometric analysis

Received: 08 Nov 2024; Accepted: 03 Jun 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Zhang, Wu, Dong, Yu, Dong, Ma, Cai, Cai, Mu, Cui, Wang, Li, Wang and Cheng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence:
Guang-Wei Zhang, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
Shuang Wang, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
Nuo Cheng, Department of Gynecology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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