by Jullie Gray, MSW, LICSW, CMC
Researchers have been studying the impact of social isolation and loneliness on health and wellbeing for many years. Over and over it has been proven that social support acts as a buffer against illness and cognitive decline. Loneliness and seclusion are thought to be as bad as or worse for your health than smoking, obesity or being an alcoholic. Put simply, loneliness breeds illness and early death.
How to spot problems
How can you tell if an older adult is at risk of isolation? There are telltale signs that may indicate a need for extra support:
- Living alone
- Family living at a distance
- Poor hearing and/or vision
- Memory loss or other cognitive problems
- Difficulty getting around (trouble walking, unable to drive or access transportation)
- Significant life changes such as the recent loss of a partner or moving to a new home
Protecting health by connecting
Social connectedness increases resistance to disease. Older people who regularly interact with family, friends and participate in social activities report better emotional and physical health and show improvement performing some mental tasks. Those with strong social ties require less pain medication after surgery and recover more quickly. They also fall less often, are better nourished and have a lower risk of depression.
Contact with others can feed the spirit by bringing meaning and purpose to each day. It’s reciprocal – both parties benefit. Regardless of one’s age, when we are around others we give and receive support as well as hands-on assistance.
Tips for connecting
There are numerous ways older people can connect. Here are just a few:
- Visiting children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors
- Participating in faith activities, services, studies and social events
- Signing up for trips sponsored by local community centers
- Volunteering at schools, hospitals or local non-profit organizations
- Joining a book group or social club
These activities can help older adults develop deeper relationships with others who have similar interests and passions. They can expose them to new people, projects and ideas, and help foster confidence, and direction in their lives. If your dad becomes involved with a cause that is important, it helps him keep life in perspective and reminds him that he has a lot to offer the world.
What if your mother-in-law can’t get out anymore? Bring activities to her. Modify activities to match her abilities.
Is there a downside?
Even though there is an undeniable connection between having robust social ties and good health, no single type of support is uniformly effective for all people and all situations. Unneeded or the wrong kind of help may reduce an older loved one’s sense of independence and self-esteem. Preventing them from doing things on their own can lead to a state of “learned helplessness” – loss of confidence and less willingness to try things independently.
Aging Life Care Professionals (also known as private geriatric care managers) are trusted advisors who can thoroughly evaluate an individual’s situation and provide you with expert guidance about how to help:
- reduce social isolation
- provide just the right kind and right amount of help
- arrange individualized activities and companion services
- overcome barriers such as resistance to change
- open doors to possibilities you may never have imagined
An Aging Life Care Manager can also become your eyes and ears by:
- making regular visits to check in on your parent
- monitoring your parent’s health and addressing concerns when they arise
With the help of a private Aging Life Care Manager you can more easily stay on top of your mom’s situation and rest a little easier knowing she is getting the vital support she needs.