Interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older people: An integrative review
Abstract Loneliness and social isolation are major problems for older adults. Interventions and activities aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness are widely advocated as a solution to this growing problem. The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review to identify the range and scope of interventions that target social isolation and loneliness among older people, to gain insight into why interventions are successful and to determine the effectiveness of those interventions. Six electronic databases were searched from 2003 until January 2016 for literature relating to interventions with a primary or secondary outcome of reducing or preventing social isolation and/or loneliness among older people.
How Social Isolation Affects the Brain
Daisy Fancourt was at her home in Surrey in southeast England when the UK government formally announced a nationwide lockdown. Speaking in a televised address on March 23, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson laid out a suite of measures designed to curb the spread of COVID-19, including closing public spaces and requiring people to stay home except for exercise and essential tasks. For Fancourt, an epidemiologist at University College London (UCL), the announcement meant more than just a change to her daily life. It was the starting gun for a huge study, weeks in the planning, that would investigate the effects of enforced isolation and other pandemic-associated changes on the British public. We’re a social species.
The Dangers of Senior Loneliness and Isolation - Welbi
Loneliness kills. For seniors, loneliness can be as large of a health risk as obesity, smoking, or alcoholism. Senior loneliness and isolation are not issues that should be ignored or taken lightly. A Statistics Canada study from 2009 showed that around 20% of seniors aged 65 and older felt lonely at least some of the time.
A Self-Care Guide for Caregivers
If you are a caregiver, you probably realise that yours is a role which is often critical but also invisible in our society. When you get together as a family, or meet acquaintances, our friends and family all tend to focus on the comfort and the feelings of the patient. They assume that caregivers, who are often a loving spouse, child or even a parent or sibling, are happy in the role and able to cope. And so, our feelings as the caregiver tend to become “invisible” to everyone. It’s also often the case that we, as caregivers are just as likely as everyone else to downplay our own needs and neglect our health in order to continue to focus on our patient. Acknowledge the Importance of Keeping Yourself Healthy
Social isolation: The COVID-19 pandemic's hidden health risk for older adults, and how to manage it
As coronavirus cases rise again, it can be hard for older adults to see any end to the need for social isolation and the loneliness that can come with it. For months now, they have been following public health advice to reduce their risk of exposure by staying home, knowing an infection can have life-threatening complications. But sheltering at home has also meant staying distant from family, friends and the places that kept them active and engaged.
Loneliness in Seniors: The Impact of Social Isolation on our Brains
In his hit “Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel),” legendary crooner Roy Orbison hits close to home regarding the heartache of being and feeling alone: “Only the lonely know the way I feel tonight…only the lonely know this feeling ain’t right.” Yes, it’s true — feeling alone is no fun. But the fact remains that many American seniors spend most of their lives lonely and isolated from the outside world. Sure, everyone enjoys a little alone time. However, for too many seniors, remaining isolated does more than diminish one’s zest for life. It can increase the risk of disease — and may even precipitate an early death.
Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks
Human beings are social creatures. Our connection to others enables us to survive and thrive. Yet, as we age, many of us are alone more often than when we were younger, leaving us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness—and related health problems such as cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract these negative effects. NIA-supported researchers are studying the differences between social isolation and loneliness, their mechanisms and risk factors, and how to help people affected by these conditions.
Social isolation, loneliness and physical performance in older-adults: fixed effects analyses of a cohort study
Study design and participants We used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), a nationally representative cohort study of community dwelling adults aged over 50 in England. The sample was drawn from households that had previously responded to the Health Survey for England (HSE) in 1998, 1999 or 2001. HSE used a two-stage sampling design consisting of the selection of postcode sectors from a postcode address file and then subsequent selection of postcode addresses from within each postcode sector19. All core participants from wave 2 of ELSA (2004/05—when physical performance was first measured) were included (n = 8,780), and were followed up in waves 4 (2008/09) and 6 (2012/13). We maintained a sample size of 8,780 participants through the waves by imputation of missing data, as described below.
How Loneliness Affects the Elderly
Loneliness is a surprising epidemic that affects millions of people. Studies have shown that about one-fifth of Americans report feelings of loneliness. It’s something that affects people of every race, age, and gender, though senior citizens seem to have it the worst. The loneliness epidemic is much worse than one might initially think. It might be tempting to say that loneliness is nothing more than a feeling, but researchers have found that it can be deadlier than obesity. (To be specific, lonely people have a 50% greater mortality rate than non-lonely people whereas obese people have an 18% greater mortality rate than non-obese people.)
10 Ways to Help Seniors Deal with Isolation and Depression – DailyCaring
Many seniors go through major life changes that could make them more vulnerable to depression. But it’s heartbreaking to stand by and watch someone deal with depression or loneliness on their own. Zara Lewis shares 10 ways you can help your older adult cope with symptoms and improve their quality of life.
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.
Stunning Facts About Senior Isolation
Nearly one-third of all seniors live by themselves, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s close to 13.8 million seniors aging alone.
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.
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
