As we age, one of the largest concerns many have is an increase in social isolation. Loneliness, or a loss or social connection has long been linked with growing older, and can have significant impacts on health (mental and physically.)
Why are Older Adults at Risk of Loneliness?
Why do people becoming lonely in old age? There are several reasons that could lead to a senior feeling more and more isolated as they age, but one of the major ones is living alone. Getting older often means no longer having family members living in the home with you. This may be because children have grown up and started the their own families, or perhaps a spouse or partner has passed away.
Mobility can also play a factor, as it can be harder for older people to get around and visit friends and loved ones. This could be because transportation has become difficult, or they do not have a car or drivers license. Other factors could include physical mobility which can make it harder for people to leave their home or travel.
Retiring can also be lonely, as many older adults miss the social aspects of regular work, or the friendships they had built with colleagues.
What are the risk factors or loneliness or isolation?
Risk factors for loneliness include any individual who may be more isolated from social contact. Someone without immediate family, or who does not have family physically close to them is at higher risk.
Similarly, immigrant populations or those who may have moved to a new area without the support of a community can be more likely to experience feelings of loneliness.
Someone whose partner, spouse, or close friends have passed away is also more likely to become lonely, or have reduced interactions with others.
Being aware of individuals who may not have social support around them is the first step to helping combat isolation.
What are the Effects of Social Isolation?
Loneliness can have a strong negative impact on an individual. It can impact mental health as well as physical health, and often leads to decline in a variety of areas.
Health effects of loneliness:
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has done a variety of research studies that have shown “loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States.”
In fact, loneliness plays a significant role in health problems and chronic diseases in many older adults. CDC research shows that loneliness can increase the risk of premature death, as well as an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
Health Care professionals and organizations like the National Institute on Aging (NIA) are now looking to gain more evidence-based research into how social separation is linked to health conditions.
Cognitive decline caused by isolation:
Social interactions are a huge part of overall well-being. Regular in-person interactions are key to healthy aging and overall good mental health.
The pandemic was a key indicator of the importance of social connectedness, as many individuals experienced higher rates of depression and poor mental health when social relationships were impacted. Similar effects have been impacting seniors for decades.
Aside from the associated health issues, anxiety, depression, low motivation, dissociation, and a lower quality of life are all heavily linked with loneliness. Social activity is a key part of overall wellness and can help prevent these negative effects of isolation.
How Can You Prevent Loneliness?
One of the simplest ways to help fight loneliness is by avoiding isolation. Creating social networks and actively seeking in-person interactions can help older adults for bonds and meaningful connections with others.
For many older adults they may rely on others to help them form new social connections. Joining a social group or club, visiting a senior center, or becoming part of a community can help stave off loneliness.
How do Senior Living Communities combat isolation?
One of the best ways for seniors to fight loneliness is by being part of a community. Community living is a wonderful way for older adults - especially those that may previously have lived alone - to form meaningful connections with others.
In a community setting, residents can enjoy a balance between independent living and the autonomy of their own personal space, while having a built-in social network right in their own back yard.
Many seniors thrive after making the move to a senior living community. They are able to meet peers, make friends, join various clubs or social groups, and enjoy a variety of activities.
Making friends or venturing into a neighborhood of your own accord can feel daunting. Similarly, many older adults don’t know where to start when trying to maintain social relationships as they age.
A community lifestyle removes many of the obstacles and barriers which may prevent seniors from stepping out of their comfort zone. In a community, residents don’t have to travel to meet peers. Activities and events are planned for them right in their own living rooms and courtyards, taking the guess work out of making new friends.
Similarly, those who may not be able to drive, or who have mobility difficulties can enjoy the convenience of on-site events. Many communities will also have scheduled outings throughout the neighborhood with accessible transportation making it easier than ever for residents to connect with peers, neighbors, and staff member alike.
How does Pacifica Senior Living build community?
Pacifica Senior Living addresses the growing loneliness epidemic with active interventions and intentional programing. We go above and beyond to make each of our communities a warm environment where all residents feel welcome. Each of our communities have activity calendars and life enrichment opportunities for residents to enjoy, creating a sense of belonging and purposeful living.
Proactively engaging and building one-on-one relationships with our residents allows us to assess their current needs, help explore ways to address those needs, and deliver excellent service when they need us the most.
Our communities are purpose-built to encourage your loved ones to make new friends, explore new activities and continue doing what they love while enjoying the security of on-site health providers and caregivers.
Helping our residents live each day to the fullest is among our top priorities at Pacifica Senior Living. We want each of our residents to flourish socially and interact with peers in a vibrant community.
At Pacifica Senior Living, we know living alone can be isolating. That’s why we provide an engaging, supportive environment to help our residents live independently with meaning and purpose.
Want to learn more about a community near you? Schedule a tour, or reach out to us for more info. We also have a variety of ongoing events and activities. Join us at your local community to see how we’re actively building a dynamic social atmosphere for all residents.
