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

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

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

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