The Effects of Isolation On Older Adults (Seniors)

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the unprecedented health crisis in the past few years, it’s that long periods of isolation can have a wide array of negative effects on people of all ages. The crisis also highlighted the important issue of social isolation in seniors, giving everyone in the world a taste of that exact type of isolation the elderly often face. 

Isolation and loneliness can significantly affect the quality of life of senior adults on a psychological, physical, and social level, or, as is mostly the case, all three. That’s why it’s important to familiarize ourselves with these issues to help the elderly in our family and community live the best lives they can.

Physical Effects of Isolation on Seniors

Isolation in older adults can take a significant toll on their physical health, especially if they experience it for a longer period of time. If they live far away from their loved ones or don’t have a support network, the elderly are exposed to heightened stress and feelings of loneliness, which can negatively impact their cardiovascular health.

This means that they’re facing a greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke. More stress can weaken their immune response, making them more susceptible to various health problems. In addition, isolation in seniors is often closely tied to less physical activity in general, and without it, their mobility and physical fitness can decline quickly. This is potentially hazardous because with decreased mobility come the risks of injuries due to falls and fractures. 

Social isolation in seniors can have other physical consequences, like malnutrition, a decline in personal hygiene due to incontinence or neglect, and the worsening of chronic health conditions. All these signs are a signal to provide support to your elderly loved ones and find ways to help them navigate their daily challenges, even if you’re far away. 

Mental Health Impact of Isolation on Seniors

Physical and mental health are inextricably linked, and for seniors in particular, isolation can negatively impact them both. Depression is usually closely connected to the feeling of isolation and loneliness. That’s because the lack of social interaction can lead to deep sadness, hopelessness, and loss of a sense of purpose.

High emotional distress is directly connected to increased anxiety, a sense of alienation, and cognitive decline. Social interactions stimulate and engage the mind, and the lack of it makes it harder for seniors to nurture their mental and cognitive health, which in turn makes it harder to want to reach out and connect with family and friends. To break this vicious cycle, it’s necessary for the elderly to feel comfortable asking for help from their loved ones and, on the other hand, having their loved ones reach out to them proactively and find ways to make their lives easier.

Effects of Social Isolation on Seniors

The mix of mental and physical health issues can lead to social isolation, eroding seniors' sense of belonging and connectedness. This can imperceptibly happen over a long period of time and lead to a diminished capacity to maintain relationships and engage in community activities, which only leads to deeper withdrawal from society. 

If you’ve got senior members of your family who are struggling to connect with their peers, there’s a variety of senior-friendly activities you can help them sign up for. Whether they’re in a retirement home or living alone, being surrounded by people their age will help them feel good about themselves and keep them motivated to stay active and connect with people.

How to Mitigate Effects of Isolation in Seniors

Having a better understanding of the issue's multifaceted nature allows us to seek and provide the best available solutions. When it comes to mitigating isolation in seniors, there are several approaches you can take to help them improve their lives on the terms that work for them.

Having a Caregiver

If you live far away from senior family members, ensure that they have a caregiver they can turn to for all their needs. This can mean having a trustworthy person help them clean the house, go with them to buy groceries, and frequently talk with them.

Over time, caregivers can become confidants and friends to the elderly. The mutual trust allows them to connect and share uncomfortable challenges they face, be it signs of adult diaper rash, incontinence problems, or everyday worries that bother them. Caregivers are also very good at connecting senior adults with different community programs, empowering them to stay connected with the world around them.

Getting Involved in a Local Community Program

One of the easiest yet most effective ways for seniors to avoid feeling isolated is to join local community programs. There are usually different types of programs on offer, and they can range from social clubs and group activities designed for seniors like chair yoga, arts and crafts, and book clubs, to volunteer programs that encourage participation in community service. 

Getting involved with these programs may be a bit intimidating in the beginning, but the effort is well worth it because such initiatives provide opportunities for social interaction and instill a sense of purpose and belonging.

Getting Personally Invested in Staying Vital, Healthy, and Motivated

When people in their golden years become personally invested in leading a good life, that’s one of the most important steps to stave off isolation. Investing time and energy into creating daily routines and learning new things will make a world of difference in how they think and function.

Having scheduled video chats with the family is a great way to see each other regularly, communicate openly, and stay connected. Learning how to use modern technology helps senior adults use it to discover and participate in local community events and learn about anything they’d like. Finding new hobbies and connecting with same-minded people is an excellent opportunity for socialization and nurturing the feeling of belonging.

In Conclusion

For a long time, the topic of social isolation among senior members was largely unnoticed, but things are improving. It’s important to show appreciation and love to those who came before us and enable them to find a path to a good life when they’re struggling. The way you do it will depend on you and your elderly family members, but as long as you show up happy to do it, chances are your senior relatives and neighbors will be grateful for your attention and assistance.