Bouts of Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults

Older adults are more vulnerable to bouts of loneliness and isolation although everyone goes through these times occasionally. What are some of the reasons older people are more affected?

• decline in mobility
• general lack of interest in building and continuing friendships

Ongoing research reveals prolonged loneliness and isolation can have serious effects on your health. It can:

• increase bouts of depression and sadness
• disrupts sleep
• elevate blood pressure
• raise levels of the stress hormone cortisol 
• increase your chances of early death by 14 percent

Loneliness is put into the same risk category as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and affects people twice as much as being obese.

Seniors may have to work harder at keeping friendships and social relationships alive, but if done successfully, the senior population can benefit greatly from these interactions.

Everyone can be vulnerable to loneliness.

• someone surrounded by many people may still feel alone at times. I remember viewing videos of Elvis Presley who was adored by millions and more often than not was in the company of 100's of people most of the time, say even among it all he still felt "alone" at times.
• people in happy marriages can feel loneliness
• people who enjoy a small circle of close friends can feel loneliness

It is easy for anyone to suddenly slip into social isolation:

• spouses pass away
• conflict with friends can develop
• family and children might move away

Anyone who is dependent upon one or two people for their human connections are at a higher risk for loneliness and isolation.

How can the older person cope with loneliness and isolation?

• Have intimate connections which come from and affirms who you are. This would be a person or people who supports your value as a person and is someone with whom you can share good times as well as bad times.
• Have relational connections which comes from having face to face contacts that are mutually rewarding. This fosters a sense of safety.
• Have collective connections which comes from feeling you are a part of a group with similar interests. Think of belonging to a social club or sports team and even participating in church groups gives you the collective connection human beings need to cope with loneliness and isolation.

It is not always easy to develop all three of the above types of relationships for everyone, especially the senior population of people, and it is not totally necessary to have all three in your life to help you cope. Honestly, taking part in the Y activities helps me in this regard. 

Not ready for human connections as outlined here? Dates with nature can also help people cope with loneliness and isolation. Studies show us that every day interactions with green and blue places such as trees and water helps to motivate seniors to be more socially active by promoting feelings of renewal and restoration.

Shortly before my Aunt Margaret passed, back in the previous summer, I went for a daily walk around local Lake Iola where there is beauty of flowers, trees and water. This is one of my favorite spots to hang out, to walk and even to meditate or talk with the Lord. The nursing home had taken a bus down to the lake and there on the picnic tables sat my Aunt Margaret. She and all the senior people on that trip looked much more renewed than when I visited them in the nursing home.

Another way to avoid loneliness and isolation is to get a job or even volunteer your time somewhere in  your community. Many studies tell us people age 65 and older who continue to work have higher mental health scores than those who retire and stop working.

Staying connected to other people in an active work environment is what keeps you socially involved and connected. It also provides a sense of purpose in your life after retirement. (source: UCLA Health: Healthy Years Newsletter, Helping older adults lead happier, healthier lives)

I also see a lot of senior people hanging out at the local Waffle House, just connecting with each other and the cooks, waiters and waitresses, sipping on coffee and eating a quick, hot meal. There are many, many ways people in their senior years can stay connected to other people and avoid or cope with loneliness and isolation. 

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DISCLAIMER: THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. ALL HEALTH CONCERNS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.  THE ARTICLE CONTENT IS OFFERED AS A RESOURCE FOR HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES.

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