Introduction
The problem of loneliness, which is one of the most urgent in any modern society, becomes especially acute in old age. Today, there is a significant increase in the share of elderly people in the total population due to increasing life expectancy and falling fertility. Therefore, the problem of loneliness among the elderly is increasingly attracting the attention of scientists and the general public. Elderly people are particularly at risk of experiencing such issues as they tend to feel deeper emotions. Even though loneliness and isolation are not considered damaging, they can seriously affect the physical and mental health of elderly people.
Causes of Loneliness in the Elderly
All age groups experience loneliness, but the elderly are more vulnerable. One reason for this is that as family members, life partners, friends, and acquaintances pass away, they are left with a decreasing number of people with whom they can speak (Guarnera et al., 2023). Older folks tend to live alone, are less mobile, or are perhaps ill, so they leave the house less frequently. Another risk factor that can contribute to loneliness in old age is poverty.
The main causes of loneliness include:
- Losing one’s prior social standing and rights as one age.
- Losing family members and friends frequently.
- Severing ties with children who have grown into independent adults.
In addition, it is experiencing spiritual degradation, which contributes to a reduction in the range of interests and social connections. Numerous variables, some more crucial in later life, impact active social connections. Health is one of these considerations for elderly people. The issue of old people’s isolation and loneliness is also a result of society’s failure to meet their needs (Campbell et al., 2023). Old people experience loneliness not only in terms of their living arrangements but also in terms of their sense of worthlessness when they feel misunderstood or undervalued.
Impacts of Loneliness on the Elderly
Older adults’ health and quality of life might suffer greatly from loneliness and social isolation. Long-term lonely older adults walk less, exercise less, smoke more, sleep worse, and are more prone to developing chronic illnesses. Desperation from loneliness can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which has a detrimental effect on one’s health (Paquet et al., 2023). Chronic stress impairs the immune system and raises blood pressure. This raises the possibility of developing cardiovascular conditions and inflammation.
The psyche also suffers from loneliness, which can cause sadness, poor brain function, and an elevated risk of suicide in older people. The consequences of loneliness on a person’s self-esteem are further aggravated if loneliness is associated with personal characteristics and shortcomings (Paquet et al., 2023). The more positively an elderly person evaluates himself and believes life has meaning and purpose, the less lonely he feels. People with low self-esteem are more prone to passivity, suggestion, and criticism, considering it a confirmation of their inferiority (Guarnera et al., 2023).
In addition, the risk of dying can be raised by both an actual absence of social connections and a sense of isolation. Finally, a person’s chance of passing away is increased by one-third if they are socially isolated, lonely, or live alone.
Engagement Among Older Adults and Their Family Members
There are particulars to how older people engage with one another and their family members. As a result, individuals frequently feel let down on dates since they pick up on even the smallest nuances of other people’s conduct that, for instance, don’t match their ideal. Older people avoid contact despite suffering from it because they fear being misunderstood, disappointed, and presumed to be failures (Poscia et al., 2018). People who feel lonely frequently lack communication skills in other ways as well. For example, they show less goodwill and trust toward others, ask fewer questions, show less interest in those around them, and ask fewer questions. They cannot communicate themselves positively and nonverbally through tone and facial expressions.
Addressing Loneliness and Isolation in the Elderly
To prevent the elderly from experiencing the negative consequences of being alone and isolated, society can contribute to developing special programs for this group. One strategy to overcome social isolation and loneliness is to communicate with other people who share one’s feelings. The elderly can communicate with one another, for instance, through designated senior gathering spaces or internet communication tools established by the community.
Additionally, group activities help prevent loneliness in later life (Poscia et al., 2018). Learning something new, whether it be through sports, social activities, gardening, or computer classes, is a great way to combat loneliness as we age. These things allow one to meet new people and offer the satisfying sensation of accomplishment. Learning programs should also be proposed by the community services fighting against this social issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, even though loneliness can cause major personality disorders, an older person has the strength to independently manage their loneliness by honestly evaluating it and establishing areas of interest. If loneliness and isolation are not overcome, this population faces psychological and physical issues. Society can contribute to the problem’s elimination by creating groups based on different activities and encouraging active learning among the elderly.
References
Campbell, F., Whear, R., Rogers, M., Sutton, A., Robinson-Carter, E., Barlow, J., Sharpe, R., Cohen, S., Wolstenholme, L., & Thompson-Coon, J. (2023). Non-familial intergenerational interventions and their impact on social and mental wellbeing of both younger and older people – a mapping review and evidence and gap map. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 19(1), e1306. Web.
Guarnera, J., Yuen, E., & Macpherson, H. (2023). The impact of loneliness and social isolation on cognitive aging: A narrative review. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, 7(1), 699–714. Web.
Paquet, C., Whitehead, J., Shah, R., Adams, A. M., Dooley, D., Spreng, R. N., Aunio, A. L., & Dubé, L. (2023). Social prescription interventions addressing social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Meta-review integrating on-the-ground resources. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25. Web.
Poscia, A., Stojanovic, J., La Milia, D. I., Duplaga, M., Grysztar, M., Moscato, U., Onder, G., Collamati, A., Ricciardi, W., & Magnavita, N. (2018). Interventions targeting loneliness and social isolation among the older people: An update systematic review. Experimental Gerontology, 102, 133–144. Web.