Introduction

Loneliness and social isolation are a threat to older adults’ quality of life and well-being. Occupational therapists are well positioned to support it, however, there is a scarcity of evidence in the literature reporting their involvement.

Method

A scoping review was conducted to map occupational therapists’ involvement addressing loneliness and social isolation in older adults. Four databases and manual searches of references list were included and analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.

Findings

A total of 14 studies and 2 study protocols were identified from 422 hits. Two main categories were identified: “Features of the LSI interventions” and “Nature of Occupational Therapists’ involvement” with four and two sub-categories respectively.

Discussion

Occupational therapists’ involvement in interventions addressing LSI were primarily as researchers. The number of interventions involving occupational therapists has gradually increased with a focus on community and technological-based interventions.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to support occupational therapists’ practice.