Stay Connected to Combat Loneliness and Social Isolation
The number of older adults aged 65 and older is growing, and many are socially isolated and regularly feel lonely. The Coronavirus outbreak in 2020 brought even more challenges due to health considerations and the need to practice physical distancing.
Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive. As people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone and less time connecting with others, including family members and friends. Being alone may leave older adults more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation. This can affect their health and well-being. Studies reported by the National Institute of Aging show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. It is reported that American men are stuck in what has been dubbed a friendship recession, with 20 percent of single men now saying they do not have any close friends. More than half of all men report feeling unsatisfied with the size of their friend groups.
What is the difference between loneliness and social isolation?
Loneliness and social isolation are different, but related. Loneliness is the distressing feeling of being alone or separated. Social isolation is the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly. You can live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, and you can feel lonely while being with other people.
Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections that can come with growing older, hearing/vision/memory loss, disability, trouble getting around, and/or the loss of family and friends.
Who may be at greater risk for loneliness and social isolation?
Those who find themselves unexpectedly separated from friends or family experience, loss of mobility, worsening vision or hearing problems, disability, lack of mobility, and lack of access to transportation.
Other risks include:
- major loss or life change (death of spouse or partner, retirement);
- struggle with money,
- psychological or cognitive changes,
- depression,
- limited social support,
- trouble with hearing loss that limits conversations with family and friends,
- living in a rural, unsafe or hard-to-reach neighborhood,
- language barriers,
- discrimination (e.g., age, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation,
- gender identity),
- and not engaging in meaningful activities.
What can older adults do to help protect themselves from the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation?
Following are ideas from NIA for staying connected:
- Find an activity that you enjoy or learn something new. You might have fun and meet people with similar interests.
- Get moving! Exercise decreases stress, boosts your mood, and increases your energy.
- Volunteer. You’ll feel better by helping others.
- Stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors in person, online, or by phone.
- Consider adopting a pet. Animals can be a source of comfort and may also lower stress and blood pressure.
Sources
View Music and the Mind Live with Renee Fleming:
https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/festivals-series/sound-health/music-and-the-mind/
Episode 1 is on isolation with former Surgeon General under President Obama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FND_IQTjGQM
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation/stay-connected-combat-loneliness-and- social-isolation https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-a-growing-number-of-american-men-say-they-are-in-a-friendship-recession