The Dangers Of Senior Isolation And Loneliness To Their Health
Isolation and loneliness among senior citizens can be harmful to their health.
Effects Of Isolation And Loneliness To Senior’s Health
loneliness is just as dangerous as smoking or obesity. Isolation among seniors can aggravate pre-existing diseases, promote an unhealthy lifestyle, and impair cognitive.
According to a Brigham Young University study
Isolation And Loneliness Leads To Stress In Seniors
Blood pressure and stress levels are “substantially greater” among lonely people, especially seniors, according to University of Chicago researchers.
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Isolation encourages unhealthy behaviors.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, social isolation frequently contributes to poor health practices. Seniors who are lonely are more inclined to smoke, drink excessively, and ignore the importance of physical activity. Social support, on the other hand, can motivate elders to eat well, exercise regularly, and lead healthy lives.
Alzheimer’s illness is exacerbated by loneliness.
According to a study conducted by the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, loneliness is a risk factor for cognitive deterioration. Alzheimer’s disease risk nearly doubled among lonely individuals, and mental deterioration was speedier, according to the study. According to the study, this could be because isolated older adults receive less stimulation or because their symptoms are less likely to be reported before the condition progresses.
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Isolation increases the likelihood of elder abuse.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, there are various reasons for this link. Scammers and financial abuse are more prone to target isolated elders. Neglect is more likely to go undiscovered than the other seven categories of elder abuse. Without a trustworthy family member, seniors are less likely to disclose physical abuse, and if they don’t have other caregiver services, they may protect abusers.
Seniors who are lonely assume the worst.
Seniors who are socially isolated are 60% more likely to expect their quality of life to decline in the next ten years. According to the National Council on Aging, they’re also more concerned about needing community assistance as they get older, and they’re more likely to express concerns about aging in place.
Assistance for senior citizens facing Isolation
Before the epidemic, many elderly who lived alone had active social lives, visiting community centers and friends on a regular basis. Routine interactions, such as checking out at the supermarket or conversing with the mail person, also provided much-needed socializing.
Friends, family members, and acquaintances must reach out to elders now more than ever. According to the Administration on Aging, even 15 minutes of engagement per day — in person or online — can help Senior Facing isolation and loneliness
It makes a difference to reach out.
Senior isolation and loneliness has become more common as a result of the coronavirus’s social distancing, but it’s also showed how well we can interact from afar. Call your elderly relatives, and encourage your family to do the same. If you’re stuck for conversation starters, consider these 20 questions that elders never tire of hearing.
Volunteering helps people feel less lonely.
According to the Administration on Community Living, the more volunteer organizations a senior belongs to, the lower their overall loneliness. Volunteering provides elders a sense of purpose while also allowing them to pursue their passions. The good news is that volunteering can be done even if you don’t want to interact with other people: Seniors can help young children with reading over the phone or through pen pal letters, for example, through intergenerational programs.
Loneliness is addressed via technological solutions.
Technology can bridge gaps between socially distant friends and family, from Zoom video conversations to innovative items intended just for seniors. Look for simple-to-use phones and tablets with extra features like brain games and digital assistants like Alexa and Siri. Too much screen time, on the other hand, can cause exhaustion and eye strain, so alternate between technology and good, old-fashioned phone calls. Other ways that friends and families can interact through technology include:
- Organizing a “movie night” in which everyone rents the same movie or uses an app like Netflix party or Gaze to watch and talk at the same time.
- Playing games such as online chess or scrabble with others. You may personalize games and quizzes with your own family data and interests with apps like Kahoot and Drawful.
- Photos can be used to share memories. To upload new and old memories, family members can utilize a shared photo software like Family Album or Google Photos. Send images by email or snail mail if your older loved one is less tech-savvy.
- Discovering heirloom treasures and keepsakes. Seniors have had plenty of time to go through their belongings in their closets and attics due to their social isolation. Gather the family around Zoom to look over photo albums and old keepsakes to see what stories and memories they evoke.
Physical and emotional benefits come from exercise
In addition to providing physical health benefits, brisk activity helps to combat anxiety and despair. If you live in a neighborhood with socially isolated seniors, consider going for a short walk or spending time outside with them. Remember to wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart throughout this period of social isolation.
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