Breaking the Cycle of Social Isolation: Tips for Seniors to Stay Connected
Social isolation is a troubling, serious, and surprisingly expensive problem facing us today. Humans are social creatures and meant to live in community, but as people age, they tend to grow less social due to retirement, health and mobility problems, and the death of spouses,family, and friends. Feelings of loneliness are a struggle for many older adults, and according to the 2020 census, 27% of Americans over the age of 65 lived alone, a number that will only increase as people age. It also hasn’t helped that we have lived through a health pandemic that required us to isolate ourselves.
Social isolation, or social frailty, is more prevalent among men and those with lower incomes,and is associated with heart disease, depression, higher rates of infection and mortality, and premature cognitive decline. These negative health effects are not only dangerous, they are also expensive. Medicare spends an additional $6.7 billion each year on costs associated with social isolation, including care costs from skilled nursing facilities, which step in when there are no family and friends to offer help.
Older adults who are sociallyisolated, or those who experience loneliness, are more likelytomake poor health choices in areas of diet, exercise, and smoking. Additionally, the NationalCenter on Elder Abuse found that social isolation is associated with higher rates of elder abuse,though researchers aren’t certain whether the abuse precedes the isolation, or whether the isolation enables the abuse. Isolation, however, can prevent seniors from receiving the benefits and services they need to be healthy and independent.
One of the first things we can do to combat social isolation is to encourage seniors to have regular vision and hearing tests, and to report any symptoms of incontinence to their physicians.The embarrassment and limitations that result from hearing problems, vision problems, and incontinence can be significant factors in social isolation among seniors, but ones that may be easily solved.
Another primary factor in social isolation is limited transportation. Many seniors do not drive, so providing them alternative means of transportation is key to enabling them to stay socially connected. Many communities even offer transportation services exclusively for seniors.
Once anyunderlyinghealth and transportation issues have been addressed, it’s important to findways to be more social. Of course, beingsocial doesn’t come easilyto everyone and some seniorswill need to be intentional about beingsocial. One of the simplest ways to fight social isolation isto share a meal with someone else, and to do so on a regular basis, whether it’s one-on-one with a good friend in a quiet setting or in a large group at a fun restaurant.
Seniors can also combat social isolation by maintaining a sense of purpose. As we grow older in a society where youth is celebrated, it’s important to hold onto our sense of purpose, or rediscover it if it’s been lost. There are many ways we can foster a sense of purpose, including through volunteering, mentoring, participation in community or religious activities, engaging in hobbies or other interests, taking classes, or in providing care for pets or other animals that need to be nurtured. The more social the activity, the less likely a senior will fall prey to social isolation.
The second half of life is an exciting time, and it’s important that seniors stay active and social,as it can be easy to become isolated.
Researchers in Japan developed the following series of questions to ask older adults to determine their level of social vulnerability:
1. Do you go out less frequently compared with last year?
2. Do you sometimes visit your friends?
3. Do you feel you are helpful to friends or family
4. Do you live alone?
5. Do you talk to someone everyday?
If you’re concerned about your own level of social isolation, consider the questions above, and if you find the answers troubling, it maybe time to reconsider your social habits and circumstances,and think about making some positive changes to help improve your health and well-being. The second half of your life can still be the best half of your life.