Five Facts About Senior Loneliness and Isolation that will Shock You

According to the 2016 U.S. Census, almost 30% of those age 65 and older in the U.S live alone. As people get older, the chances they will live alone increases. In addition to this difficulty, according to the AARP, a greater number of older adults do not have children. This translates into fewer relatives to visit and help care for seniors. Living alone does not automatically result in social isolation. However, it is the most significant predisposing factor. The following five facts about senior loneliness and isolation will help you stay informed about this major problem.

1. Social isolation and feelings of loneliness negatively affect both long term physical and mental health.  Loneliness has been tied to chronic high blood pressure, lung disease, heart disease, arthritis, impaired mobility, depression and anxiety.  Awareness and self-monitoring of physical health and mood can be an important step in getting the help needed.

2. LGBT seniors are two times more likely to be single, childless, estranged from their biological families and socially isolated than other seniors.  Stigma and discrimination serve as major barriers to support and community involvement.  However, there are increasing numbers of community groups and online resources for aiding these seniors in avoiding social isolation and loneliness.

3. Social isolation and feelings of loneliness contribute to decreases in mental capacity and increases in the risk of dementia. Since we are social beings, failure to meet our social needs is associated with poorer mental performance and faster cognitive decline.

4. Social isolation makes seniors more vulnerable to elder abuse.The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that research shows a link between loneliness and social isolation and elder abuse.  It is unclear as to the exact manner in which this occurs.  It is possible that those who are isolated and lonely are more likely to fall victim due to the desire for companionship.  It is also possible that abusers isolate potential victims to prevent discovery.

5. Loneliness in seniors can actually lead to others purposely isolating them.  This seems like a contradiction.  We would like to believe that when we have a friend or relative who is suffering from loneliness we would try to find some way to help, such as visiting with the person.  Yet research has shown that loneliness breeds loneliness.  When we spend time around someone who is lonely and depressed, we may find we begin to  feel the same way.  Unfortunately, the tendency in such a situation is to further isolate the individual in order to prevent threats to our social cohesion in the form of social exclusion, belonging and marginalization.   

Have you or a friend or family member suffered from loneliness or social isolation during the aging process? What, in your opinion, is the most helpful strategy for reducing this sense of loneliness and  isolation? Join the discussion in the comments section below.