Isolation And Aging

Social Isolation Among the Aging 1

MITIGATING SOCIAL ISOLATION AMONG THE AGING

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Social Isolation Among the Aging 2

Mitigating Social Isolation among the Aging

Social isolation has long been a phase of life for older people, or seniors. While a wide

body of literature exits that articulates the phenomenon, there has been limited application of the

insights the literature provides globally (Cornwell and Waite, 2009). In more developed

countries, systems are in place to mitigate social isolations among seniors. social isolation is the

absence of social interactions (Cornwell and Waite, 2009. There are several pointers of the

debilitating effects of social isolation. Studies show that social isolation arises as a result of an

individual having a physical disconnect with society (Cornwell and Waite, 2009). As a

consequence, such individuals prefer solitude, tend to have very limited social networks and

participate intermittently in social activities. To effectively engage seniors, it is important to

delineate what social isolation means to seniors, and effect practical measures to counter the

trend.

Isolation and Old Age

For seniors, isolation can result in increased mortality (BC MOH, 2004). This is because

seniors tend to have preexisting medical conditions and when such conditions exacerbate, their

living in isolation increases the risk of not readily accessing immediate medical attention

(Cornwell and Waite, 2009). Additionally, the lack of confidantes makes it difficult for seniors to

report health-related development, particularly in scenarios where they are living alone.

Correspondingly, social isolation may exacerbate continuing illnesses.

One of the hardest experiences for anyone is the loss of a loved one. Seniors are not

exempt. The loss of a partner they have spent decades with can precipitate adverse physical and

psychological stressors, including high blood pressure and depression (Singh and Misra, 2009).

The stressors in turn can result in emotional isolation and social disengagement.

Social Isolation Among the Aging 3

Studies show that seniors that live in isolation tend to have poor estimation of their

physical wellness. They may also recount negative mental wellbeing. In particular, the subjective

experience of loneliness for seniors predisposes them to accelerated cognitive deterioration, with

dementia being a possibility.

The isolation of seniors makes them susceptible to abuse (BC MOH, 2004). Because

isolated seniors have little social support networks, they often have to put up with conditions not

favorable to their wellbeing. Neglect, sequestration from society, and exploitation are not

uncommon. Isolation results in seniors adopting negative view points of life (Cornwell and

Waite, 2009). Specifically, lonely seniors tend to have a bleak outlook of the future. Such

pessimism is rooted in the fact that their self-reliance will diminish as they age. Because seniors

possess considerable living experience, the prospect of relying on others for tasks they have

performed all along disheartens them.

The physical location of a senior’s residence also matters (BC MOH, 2004). This is

because seniors living in locations with a culture that differs from theirs are at risk of isolation,

as do seniors living in places that are distant from the nearest sizable communities. The physical

distance from centers where seniors can access services and related benefits can diminish the

quality of their lives.

Interventions to Mitigate Effects of Isolation on seniors

Confidants are integral to availing timely healthcare interventions for seniors. In this

respect, a literal reduction of isolation is important in mitigating mortality in seniors (Cornwell

and Waite, 2009). This is because confidants can provide unique insights about their charge, an

important step in personalizing activities to accommodate the differing needs of seniors.

Social Isolation Among the Aging 4

Ensuring seniors have access to requisite resources that afford them so to socialize in

addition to providing palliative care is a practical way of reducing isolation (Cornwell and Waite,

2009). In this regard, it is important to encourage seniors to articulate concerns they may have

with respect to the kind of care they receive. For this to be possible, socialization is important as

seniors may not be open to every caregiver that interacts with them. In this regard, having family

members including relations that are not too distant is important to bolster the confidence of

seniors. This in turn makes it possible to build rapport necessary for seniors to engage caregivers

candidly respecting the quality of care the former are receiving.

Information communication technology has become indispensable with respect to

ensuring continuous contact with seniors. This is especially the case with seniors that prefer

staying at home as opposed to group homes (BC MOH, 2004). Because most of the familial

relations of older people have various engagements elsewhere, engagement over phone or video

calls and regular visits are pivotal to the seniors’ socialization. Where homestays are not

possible, assisted living arrangements can be invaluable in ensuring that seniors are not isolated

and receive the necessary attention and care (BC MOH, 2004). Such arrangements can include

the provision of transportation, means of communication including hearing aids where applicable

and enlisting seniors in engaging activity programs. Providing seniors with internet access and

directing them to peers with whom they share the same interest can be invaluable in keeping

them occupied and for that reason, less isolated. Pets can also provide welcome company for

seniors, especially those that prefer to stay at home.

Feelings of loneliness might predispose seniors to depression. Given that prolonged

depression is difficult to manage, it is imperative for the caregivers to be on the lookout for

leanings towards depression and move to ensure active socialization (Singh and Misra, 2009). In

Social Isolation Among the Aging 5

addition to precipitating depression, studies show that isolation can overtime result in high blood

pressure (Steptoe, Shankar, Demakakos and Wardle, 2013). Like depression, blood pressure can

be difficult to manage given the delicate nature of health attendant to aging. Managing such

stressors includes addressing factors such as providing comfort and support where a senior has

lost a spouse or is recovering from an adverse health event.

Making suitable arrangements respecting seniors’ access to public transportation is an

important part of socializing seniors. This is because it provides seniors with the mobility

necessary for them to lead full and independent lives (Age UK, n.d). Adapting public

transportation may include tilted entry platforms, lowering bus floors, wider service doors and

providing retractable ramps for wheelchair users. These apparently minimal alterations make a

big difference for seniors because it demonstrates inclusivity, that seniors are part of active

society.

Inviting seniors to participate in activities that improve their social interactions without

unduly stressing them out is important with respect to providing constructive socialization.

Social settings that occupy seniors constructively improve their morale and outlook of life

because they demonstrate that seniors can also lead active and engaging lives. To illustrate,

seniors can participate in low-stress physical activities such as stretching (Age UK, n.d). Physical

activities ensure that seniors maintain their mobility and therefore their control of their lives with

the resulting positive outlook.

In addition, Seniors have an array of skills and talents that they have developed and

perfected overtime. Tapping into their unique abilities is a crucial way of demonstrating their

skills and talents are not obsolete. In fact, showcasing their abilities not only helps ease their

socialization, but also benefits the community overall (Age UK, n.d). In this way, seniors are

Social Isolation Among the Aging 6

better able to appreciate that they can and are making a difference in their communities. This in

turn results a positive outlook and provides sustainable self-starting socializing opportunities.

Adult education can also be a stimulating experience for seniors. Give the rate at which

global trends are evolving, adult education is no longer a dull engagement. Besides, adult

education provides continuous and engaging socialization, a factor crucial to ensuring seniors

understand that they still have much to offer. In addition to education, holiday packages can also

enliven seniors. Arranging a safari for seniors can rejuvenate their self-confidence because it

provides a brief but welcome break from their surroundings. It also affirms that with a little

determination, they can get out and about when they so wish.

Social Isolation Among the Aging 7

References

Age UK (n.d.). Loneliness and isolation: evidence review, Viewed 26 January 2016,

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/documents/en-gb/for-

professionals/evidence_review_loneliness_and_isolation.pdf?dtrk=true

British Columbia Ministry of Health (BC MOH), 2004. Social Isolation Among Seniors: An

Emerging Issue, BC MOH, Victoria. Viewed 26 January 2016,

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2004/Social_Isolation_Among_Sen

iors.pdf

Cornell, EY. and Waite, LJ. 2009. Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation, and health

among older adults, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50(1), pp. 31-48.

Singh, A. and Misra, N. 2009. Loneliness, depression and sociability in old age. Industrial

Psychiatry Journal, 18(1),

Steptoe, A., Shankar, A., Demakakos, P. and Wardle, J., 2013. Social isolation, loneliness, and

all-cause mortality in older men and women. Proceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences, 110(15), pp.5797-5801.

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