As we age, managing our health requires more than staying physically active, maintaining a nutritious diet, and keeping up with preventive care appointments.
Did you know your daily interactions and social connectivity also play a pivotal role in keeping you healthy as you age?
Senior loneliness and isolation have been shown to contribute to many health and wellness problems, including a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and even premature death. In contrast, consistent social interactions have been shown to improve mental health and help seniors avoid issues such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.
Read on to learn the health effects of senior loneliness and isolation and what you can do to combat them.
Understanding Senior Isolation and Loneliness
Recent studies have indicated that senior loneliness and social isolation impact both mental and physical health. In fact, research indicates that isolation poses as much of a threat to physical health as obesity and smoking.
Loneliness and isolation have also been connected to illnesses, depression, and higher mortality rates as we age; this reinforces the importance of consistent social engagement to improve mental health, longevity and overall quality of life.
To achieve the healthiest version of yourself, consider ways to maintain your physical strength while also finding time to interact with friends and family as often as possible.
Common Causes
As we age, most people don’t intend to become socially isolated. The actual process tends to set in slowly and for a variety of reasons. Isolation and the accompanying feelings of loneliness can happen for a number of varying reasons.
Overall, common causes for senior isolation and loneliness include:
- Death of a spouse
- Friends moving away
- A less busy social calendar
- Unwillingness to drive as often
- Lack of meaningful social connections
- Having difficulty initiating and maintaining relationships
- Lack of transportation
- Limited financial resources to participate in social and recreational activities
- Isolating oneself out of feelings of guilt or worry about being a burden to loved ones
Health Effects
The health effects of loneliness occur when you’re searching for meaningful social interactions, but you’re unable to actually find that social connectivity.
And while everyone feels alone and lonely at some point in their life, the impact that loneliness can have on our overall well-being has been connected to a large number of negative health effects, including:
- High blood pressure and heart disease
- A weakened immune system
- Cognitive decline resulting in Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia
- Sleep deprivation
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Increased mortality risk
How to Combat Loneliness and Isolation
Find your sense of purpose
Finding purpose can provide a sense of structure for your day and also give you a reason to get out of bed each morning. If you notice that you’re feeling more socially isolated, try spending more time nurturing your sense of purpose.
For example, you can mentor the next generation or teach your neighbor how to improve their garden. Maybe think about adopting a pet, or perhaps taking up indoor plants to spruce up your home. Whichever way you choose to go, nurturing your sense of purpose is a great way to keep you from becoming socially isolated.
Become familiar with the benefits of technology
Modern technology has made it easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and family.Options like social media and video-chatting – where you can carry out long-distance communication in a way that’s much more personable than a telephone call – allow you to stay connected even though you’re far from them physically.
Since a record number of older adults now own a smartphone and use it or another device to access the internet, finding ways to engage with friends and family is as easy as looking in the palm of your hand.
Move into a senior living community
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of all seniors live by themselves. It’s easy to understand why this dynamic often leads to social isolation. The desire to maintain independence and remain at home as you age is common among older adults, but this can lead to increasing isolation and loneliness.
That’s why senior living communities are such an excellent option for individuals who live alone. Life at a senior living community promotes health and wellness, while also encouraging socialization among residents. This gives you more time to pursue your passions as well as increased opportunities to get to know your neighbors and stay active in your community.
Consider a Senior Living Community like Friendship Village
At both Friendship Village campuses, we focus on finding ways to help our residents experience joy, achieve purpose, and connect on a deeper social level.
Our communities are designed to better connect residents and stave off loneliness by providing enriching and engaging activities. Contact us today to learn more about how life at Friendship Village can decrease senior loneliness and isolation and help improve your health and well-being.