Especially as you get older.
According to recent studies, the chance of developing dementia and other severe illnesses was found to be almost 50% higher in people who lacked social connections. There are a large number of persons in the United States who are at risk for dementia and other major medical diseases because of their loneliness and social isolation.
A study conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), found over a third of persons aged 45 and older reported feeling lonely, and about a quarter of adults aged 65 and older were classified as socially isolated.
Living alone, losing loved ones, having a chronic condition, or having trouble hearing are all reasons that might put an elderly person at risk for loneliness and social isolation.
Despite having plenty of people around you, you still feel lonely. Lack of social contacts is a major contributor to social isolation. Some people experience loneliness because they are socially isolated, whereas others experience loneliness despite their lack of isolation.
Dangers to Your Health If You’re Always Alone
The health risks associated with social isolation and loneliness in persons aged 50 and over are well documented, despite the difficulty of accurately measuring these phenomena. New research has shown that
- Premature death from any cause was associated with social isolation to a greater extent than with smoking, being overweight, or being physically inactive.
- There was a roughly 50% higher risk of dementia in those who lacked social connections.
- The risk of cardiovascular disease was elevated by 29% and the risk of stroke by 32% in people with poor social ties (defined as social isolation or loneliness).
- There was a correlation between loneliness and increased rates of mental health issues and death by suicide.
- Patients with heart failure who felt lonely had a roughly fourfold higher risk of death, a 68% higher chance of hospitalization, and a 57% higher risk of ED visits.
At Greater Risk Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Immigrants
The research addresses the issue of isolation among vulnerable older persons such as immigrants, the LGBT community, underrepresented groups, and victims of elder abuse. It also emphasizes the need for additional study into the risks, impacts, and necessary measures for these populations because the existing literature base is inadequate.
Recent studies have shown that members of the LGBT community and immigrant populations are disproportionately affected by loneliness. When compared to native-born Latinos in the United States, immigrants from that country “had fewer social bonds and lower degrees of social integration.” The paper notes that first-generation immigrants face challenges that can enhance their social isolation, including language obstacles, changes in community and family dynamics, and the development of shallow, superficial new interactions. Similarly, because of stigma, discrimination, and barriers to care, the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community is more likely to experience loneliness than their straight peers.
If you’re feeling lonely, what should you do?
In the event that you are at risk for experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness, your doctor can evaluate this and refer you to appropriate community resources. The following national groups also provide useful information:
In order to assist its members have a better quality of life, AARP offers them access to a variety of Community Connection Tools and a wide range of useful resources.
Nutrition and meal programs (counselling and home-delivered or group meals), care support, and other services are provided by the AAA, a network of more than 620 organizations across the United States. There may be Tai Chi and diabetic self-management classes available via your local AAA, which may be located on the website.
Eldercare Locator is a no-cost, government-run service that connects seniors with community-based aid in the areas of health care, housing, and transportation. Volunteering is included as a means to maintain social connections, as shown in the accompanying booklet.
The National Council on Aging coordinates community services and activities with other non-profits, governmental agencies, and private corporations. The Aging Mastery Program®, which has been found to promote social connectivity and healthy eating habits among seniors, is just one of the many programs available to help seniors age healthfully and securely.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) publishes resources on loneliness and social isolation for seniors, their caretakers, and medical professionals. Resources include health data, a print magazine (which may be viewed online or ordered free of charge in hard copy form), a flyer for healthcare professionals, and social media graphics and posts.
Interventions in the Health Care System Are Essential
People are social creatures at heart, and research shows that having strong bonds with others increases longevity and wellbeing. The health care system is an underutilized resource for detecting loneliness and preventing the diseases that might be brought on by isolation.
Most people age 50 and up have some sort of contact with the health care system. A doctor’s visit or a visit from a home health nurse may be one of the few opportunities for social interaction for those who don’t have many friends or family nearby. Clinicians now have a rare opportunity to screen patients for signs of loneliness and social isolation.
Clinicians are encouraged by NASEM to regularly screen for patients at risk and refer them to local support services if necessary. For therapeutic settings, NASEM suggests the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index (to gauge social isolation) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (a short, three-item inventory) (for measuring loneliness).
But ultimately, it is the patient’s responsibility to decide what is best for them. Having time to oneself might be refreshing for some. It’s also worth emphasizing that social isolation and loneliness are not the same thing and have little in common. But both have the potential to harm one’s health. It’s time to start finding new friends, my friends, as they can seriously and positively impact your health.