Chronic Loneliness in the Elderly: How to Help Yourself or Someone Else.
Chronic loneliness can affect every part of your life. If you've ever felt lonely—which most of us have—you know that it can impact your happiness. Loneliness can also increase your risk for many health problems. But there is reason for hope. Understanding the causes of loneliness and the best approaches for dealing with it can help you overcome the issue and start thriving.
Sadly, many elderly people today are lonely. But loneliness is not an inevitable part of aging. That's why physicians are starting to pay more attention to their older patients' social networks and learning how to help improve this aspect of their lives. Plus, the UK recently appointed the world's first Minister of Loneliness, someone who leads a multidisciplinary team united in figuring out how to combat loneliness. The UK also launched the Campaign to End Loneliness in 2011 in order to educate people specifically about the problem of loneliness in seniors.
In the U.S., the stakes are high. Not only does loneliness take a tragic toll on the personal lives of millions of older Americans, but it also has a financial cost. An AARP study on loneliness calculated that Medicare spends about $134 more each month for every lonely senior than for every socially connected older adult. That adds up to an extra $6.7 billion of spending each year. And with the number of adults over the age of 65 expected to almost double between 2018 and 2060, the costs will continue to rise. So America has a lot of incentive to address the problems of loneliness by supporting more research and creating additional resources to help seniors.
When Loneliness Is a Problem: Warning Signs
When you feel lonely, you don't need to take a test to know for sure. If you feel lonely, you are lonely. But remember: Loneliness is not a natural part of growing older. Although many seniors experience it, many others are able to establish and maintain feelings of social connection.
But it can be difficult to tell if someone close to you is affected by loneliness. After all, many seniors don't like to admit they need help. They may be afraid of seeming "old." So it's possible that someone close to you could be suffering without letting you know that they're lonely. Symptoms of loneliness can also be confused with normal signs of growing older.
Some of the signs of loneliness are:
- Sudden neglect of hygiene and personal care
- Lack of motivation
- Mysterious aches and pains
- A noticeable increase in negative thinking and pessimism
- A drop in energy levels
- Declining interest in social activities
- A change in reaching out to you—either less frequently or more frequently
- An increase in activities that might be ways of coping with loneliness, such as shopping
- An increase in hot baths or showers, which can act as substitutes for the warmth of human contact.
If a senior experiences any type personal loss, including the loss of a pet, be aware of any changes in his or her behavior. Recently moving or losing the ability to drive can also trigger loneliness. So if a friend or loved one has experienced an event that could reduce his or her social connections, reach out.
Solutions for Seniors Who Feel Lonely
1) Increase your social interactions:
Becoming more social might sound difficult at first. But if you're retired, you may have more free time than you used to. And many opportunities are available that can improve your social well-being.
For example, if you live near a seniors' center, check out what it offers. And think about the activities you enjoy (or have enjoyed in the past). Look for events in your community that are related to those activities. Whether you like doing crafts, exploring spiritual issues, or playing games, your hobbies and interests can help you meet like-minded people.
2) Consider volunteering:
If you're able to, doing volunteer work is a great way to increase your social connections. A study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B found that just two hours a week of volunteering significantly reduced symptoms of loneliness in widowed seniors. Some older adults enjoy volunteering by helping other seniors who have less independence than they do.
3) Use technology to connect:
This may seem like a strange tip. After all, using technology has been linked to loneliness in teenagers. But for many seniors, technology use can actually help with loneliness when used wisely.
Technology can help by providing a great way to stay in touch or even meet new people. For example, you can text or email friends or relatives. (If you don't have a mobile phone yet, find out what the best cell phones are for seniors.) AARP offers workshops for older adults on using mobile devices.
If you prefer to see someone's face when talking with him or her, consider having a Skype or FaceTime conversation. This might be easier on a tablet or computer than on a phone.
4) Exercise and have fun:
Exercise can improve both loneliness and depression, which in turn can improve the quality of your social interactions. Plus, many forms of physical activity have the added bonus of giving you opportunities to meet new people. So check out some ideas for getting exercise as a senior.
5) Consider owning a pet or getting pet therapy:
Having an animal companion can be a great way to feel less lonely. In fact, pet owners are 36 percent less likely to report feelings of loneliness.
Of course, living with a pet isn't a practical option for all seniors. Here's what you can do if pet ownership isn't possible:
- If you're not sure whether owning a pet will work for you, look into fostering. When you foster an animal, you look after it until the pet finds a permanent home. Fostering can help you decide whether your lifestyle, health, and living conditions can handle a pet.
- Look into pet visiting services for seniors in your area. Pet visits allow you to experience the therapeutic benefits of animals without the responsibility of pet ownership.
Chronic loneliness can have far-reaching effects in our lives. But there are many ways to improve our feelings of connection with other people.
So if you feel lonely, start talking about it with someone such as a medical professional. Remember: You're not alone in your feelings. And help is available.
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