Resources for Older Adults Experiencing Loneliness and Isolation

Guest Post by Celeste Murray Community Outreach and Senior Advocate, www.caring.com

According to a report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), nearly 25% of adults aged 65 and older are considered lonely and socially isolated.

Unfortunately, stay-at-home orders and physical distancing regulations put in place in states across the U.S. in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 made matters worse for a lot of senior citizens. In fact, dozens of studies have shown that physical and social distancing had severe negative effects on mental and physical health in individuals aged 60 and older.

Regardless of whether social isolation stems from COVID-19 restrictions or other circumstances, the effects are generally the same. In addition to mental health problems including anxiety and depression, socially isolated seniors may also experience physical symptoms including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Weakening immune system
  • Appetite changes
  • Fatigue
  • Cognitive decline

Research has shown that isolation and loneliness, particularly when resulting in physical stress, can increase the risk of greater health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease, or even death in some cases. 

In this guide, you’ll find information about senior groups that are most at risk for isolation and health information for those experiencing it. You’ll also find resources and organizations across the United States that help isolated and lonely seniors.

Senior Groups Facing the Highest Isolation Risk

While all seniors may face isolation at some point in their lives, there are some groups that are more likely to face loneliness and isolation. 

Seniors in Long-Term Care

Social isolation and loneliness is relatively common among seniors living in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. While opportunities for socialization are abundant in these communities, as many as 42% of long-term care residents experience severe loneliness or isolation.

Prior to COVID-19, isolated long-term care residents typically reported feelings of loneliness resulting from a lack of visits with family members or spouses, as well as difficulties making new friends upon moving into their facility. As COVID-19 restrictions began to affect seniors in long-term care, opportunities for families to visit were eliminated and resident social activities were canceled, which resulted in increased isolation among long-term care populations.

Veterans

Many veterans struggle to adapt to civilian life once their service is complete. According to data published by Pew Research Center, 53% of veterans who faced traumatic experiences during their time in the military have a difficult time transitioning to civilian life, while 66% of those with post-traumatic stress disorder report the same. Unfortunately for some, time doesn’t make the transition any easier, leaving some feeling incapable of fostering healthy relationships with family members, friends or health care workers. This inability to develop and nurture relationships can create severe loneliness and isolation for veterans that continue well into their senior years. 

Immigrants

The American Immigration Council states that as of 2019, more than 44.9 million Americans had immigrated from other countries and of the 54.1 million seniors living in the U.S., an estimated 13.1% are immigrants.

For some immigrants, isolation can be blamed on language and customs barriers while for others, it’s the result of feeling overwhelmed by making new friends in an unfamiliar place.

LGBTQ+ Persons

Unfortunately, older generations weren’t raised to be accepting of LGBTQ+ persons and while society has come a long way in realizing the wrongs done against LGBTQ+ persons in the past, those who identify as a member of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or other non-hetero/non-cisgender communities continue to face discrimination in our society. 

For those in older generations, particularly those aged 50 and above, that can result in reduced access to healthcare, housing, social support and home assistance services, as well as difficulties fitting into peer groups and clubs. 

Seniors with Chronic Illnesses or Disabilities

Social isolation and loneliness have long been linked to chronic illness and disability, and the reasons for this are abundant. And for those living with multiple chronic diseases, the risk of isolation grows.

Reasons that seniors living with chronic illnesses or disabilities commonly feel isolated include: 

  • Inability to participate in the same activities as peers 
  • Symptoms such as fatigue, depression, pain or nausea may prevent socialization
  • Feelings that one may not have long to live may prevent them from making new friends or caring for the relationships they already have

Seniors Living in Poverty

Whether living at home, in a shelter or on the streets, seniors who live in poverty may have severe feelings of loneliness and isolation. For some, such feelings may stem from difficulties accessing necessary services and resources within the community and affording social activities in which peers are participating. 

Social isolation affects more than just seniors’ social lives. It can also have detrimental effects on their mental and physical health. Although some seniors do enjoy living a quiet life away from friends and family members, those who are forced into it due to health conditions, discrimination or other reasons may find themselves facing unpleasant mental and physical symptoms. 

Mental Health Effects

Mental health problems commonly occur in those who are living in isolation or experiencing severe feelings of loneliness. Psychological symptoms that often occur alongside isolation include: 

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Confused or disorganized thought
  • Mood swings
  • Feelings of anger or fear
  • Withdrawing from opportunities to socialize
  • Substance abuse

Physical Health Effects

In some cases, isolation can lead to physical health problems. Symptoms that may be associated with loneliness and isolation include: 

  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Poor immunity
  • Fatigue

Risk Factors of Isolation and Loneliness

Further to the aforementioned symptoms, risk factors of isolation and loneliness among seniors include an increased prevalence of diseases such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Additionally, mortality rates have been shown to be higher among seniors who live in isolation.

For more information on organizations offering assistance and online resources for isolated seniors, please visit the original article here.