Mental and Emotional Impact of Stress
Researchers in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) study the ways in which the immune system and the nervous system communicate with each other and impact people's mental and emotional health. Even though the field is relatively new, many studies have been designed to examine the influence of immune and nervous systems on the psychological consequences of stress. PNI research suggests that chronic stress can lead to or exacerbate mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, cognitive (thinking) problems, personality changes, and problem behaviors. Stress and Depression Byproducts of stress hormones can act as sedatives (chemical substances which cause us to become calm or fatigued).
Causes of Social Isolation in Elderly Adults
No one likes to feel lonely or isolated, but for many seniors, it’s a feeling they know all too well. As we get older, our children move away, we lose touch with friends, and sometimes have difficulty getting out of the house to socialize. All of these things contribute to isolation and loneliness in the elderly, though they mean two different things. Social isolation, sometimes referred to as objective isolation, is the physical separation from other people (living alone). People experiencing social isolation typically have minimal social contact, little or no quality relationships, and lack a sense of belonging.
7 factors that could lead to social isolation
Winter can be an especially solitary time for some seniors, who may find they are spending more time alone in their homes because of bad weather or lack of transportation. Canadian research shows that isolation isn’t just confined to the winter months for older adults: a recent federal government profile of social isolation estimated that 30 per cent of seniors are at risk of becoming socially isolated.* A report from the International Federation of Ageing also identified social isolation as one of the top issues facing Canada’s aging population.*
Aging and Social Isolation in Singapore: a community survey
Singapore is one of the most rapidly aging countries in Asia. The proportion of older adults (aged 60 years and over) in the population, currently about 8%, is projected to increase to 19% by 2030. At the same time, the number of elderly households in Singapore is rising rapidly owing to increased prevalence of smaller, nuclear families and the trend of more people remaining single. To design evidence-based policies and programs to enhance social networks and prevent social isolation among seniors and to plan for the health care needs of the elderly in the future, a Social Isolation, Health and Lifestyle Survey (SIHLS) was conducted.
Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions
Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions. Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States and putting them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions. A new reportexternal icon from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.1 Older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss. Loneliness is the feeling being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact. Social isolation is a lack of social connections. Health Risks of Loneliness
7 Emotional Symptoms of Stress: What They Are and What You Can Do
Stress, defined as emotional tension or mental strain, is all too common of a feeling for many of us. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the average stress level of adults in the United States in 2015 was 5.1 on a scale of 1 to 10. Too much stress can produce both physical and emotional symptoms. Let’s look at some of the emotional signs of stress and what you can do to reduce and manage them. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) defines depression as an illness in which an individual experiences a persistent and severe low mood. Research suggests a link between high levels of stress and the onset of depression.
Coronavirus: Elderly hit hard by social isolation amid circuit breaker measures, Health News
A needle and the television set - these two objects have been keeping 83-year-old Nellie Woo company from morning to night for the past week while she is holed up alone at home. She used to enjoy playing bingo and exercising with her elderly neighbours at the Senior Activity Centre (SAC) downstairs, as well as chatting with volunteers who visited her studio flat. Now that all activities for seniors - including home visits - have ceased due to strict circuit breaker measures, Madam Woo is feeling lonely and emotionally down. She thinks about suicide sometimes, and has spent so much time staring at her patchwork and TV lately that her doctor had to give her antibiotics for dry eyes. For such elderly people, the ills that come with social isolation pose a significant health risk, say some seniors and social workers.
Ways of Preventing Social Isolation Among Seniors
As seniors age, their lives can become more isolated. Their families are no longer at home with them, and they may begin to isolate themselves from the outside world because it has become more difficult for them to get out. Social isolation among seniors can also impact their health. A study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that seniors have a 26 percent higher death risk than the elderly that remain social. Elderly that are socially isolated may not have anyone in their lives to care for them, and they can develop signs of illness without realizing that they or anyone else knows they need help. Signs of social isolation among seniors are refusing to go out or making excuses as to why they’re unwilling to attend events with friends and family.
Five Questions to Help a Socially Isolated Senior - SeniorsMatter.com
Being socially active is a healthy thing. In a presentation to the National Academy of the Sciences, researchers disclosed their findings that social interaction impacts physical and mental health in numerous ways and even affects mortality. If you are close to a loved one who is curtailing social activities for various reasons, here are five good questions you can ask to encourage him or her to re-engage. "Can I take you to (church, synagogue, mosque or other religious place)?"
Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness – Aging Life Care Association™
Clifford Singer, MD Adjunct Professor, University of Maine Chief, Geriatric Mental Health and Neuropsychiatry Acadia Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center 268 Stillwater Avenue Bangor Maine 04402 207.973.6179 csinger@emhs.org Cliff Singer is a geriatrician and psychiatrist. He lives in Orono, Maine and directs the Mood and Memory Clinic at Acadia Hospital and Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program for Acadia Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. He trained in general psychiatry and geriatric medicine at Oregon Health and Science University and served on the faculties of psychiatry and neurology there and at the University of Vermont before moving to Maine in 2010. Clifford Singer, MD
Stress and Anxiety Quiz
Is there too much stress in your life? To find out, take this quiz, adapted from a scale developed by Peter Lovibond at the University of New South Wales. For the first 16 questions, please indicate how much each statement applied to you over the past week. Answer the questions as honestly as possible; there are no right or wrong answers. The last five questions are about you, and they'll be used by our research team to better understand how stress relates to factors like marriage and employment.
Seniors felt less socially satisfied, more isolated during Covid-19 circuit breaker period: Survey, Singapore News
SINGAPORE - Social isolation during the circuit breaker period resulted in lower social satisfaction levels for senior citizens, according to results from a monthly survey of about 7,500 people aged between 55 and 75 here. Social satisfaction levels dipped by about 4 per cent in May when compared with data from January. In particular, for senior citizens living with others, satisfaction levels fell to the pre-circuit breaker levels of peers living alone, while those living alone saw even lower satisfaction levels as safe distancing measures made it more difficult to find support from friends and the community. As of July, while satisfaction levels have rebounded after the circuit breaker period, which was from April 7 to June 1, they are not back to the levels they were at before.
50 Activities for the Elderly in Lockdown and Isolation
This is one of many free activities. Golden Carers has 1000s of activities and resources for senior care. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing chaos worldwide and this is a hard time for so many. We need to hang in there - these crazy times will pass. In the meantime, we need to adjust our activitiy planning in accordance with new rules and regulations.
100 Great Questions to Ask Grandparents During COVID-19
During the time of the pandemic, seniors are one of the most vulnerable groups to loneliness and isolation. Many seniors are either under stricter visitation guidelines, whether they are at home or in assisted living communities. While your loved ones are more physically distanced from others in their community and your family, it is more difficult for them to get the socialization they are used to.
