Combating Loneliness in The Elderly: Essential Tips

Everyone feels lonely sometimes. However, research shows that seniors experience loneliness at an alarmingly high rate, with about half of adults over the age of 60 at risk for social isolation and about 30% likely to face loneliness later in life. Older adults feel that way for numerous reasons, but some strategies could help improve their overall well-being and support better health.

Key Takeaways: Combating Loneliness in Seniors

• Nearly 50% of seniors are at risk of social isolation.
• Loneliness harms health, increasing stress, anxiety, and heart disease risk.
• Seniors can stay connected through technology, community groups, and new activities.
• Families can help by offering time, support, and engagement opportunities.
• CarePatrol assists families in finding the right senior care solutions.
  

Loneliness in the Elderly

Why do older people experience loneliness so often? There are various potential reasons:

• Physical health limitations make it harder for people to maintain their social activities as they did years before
• Infrequent social contact, such as friends moving away or becoming less accessible
• Loss of a family member or spouse as they get older
• Mental health challenges, including the onset of anxiety or depression
• Living alone after living with a family member for most of their life

It is human nature to want to be around others and to be a part of the community. Yet, as a person ages, social connection opportunities become harder to plan and execute, especially if 

driving or other physical health limitations become too hard to manage.

Although loneliness feels like an emotionally-based situation, it has a physical component. Physical health can suffer when a person is feeling lonely frequently. Some adults may have higher blood pressure due to feeling anxious. Others face serious mental health stress, which can trigger the body’s natural “fight or flight” sensation. That can tax just about every component of your body.

When this feeling of loss or sadness becomes a common occurrence, it can take more of a toll on your body. Chronic loneliness exponentially increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, as your body is operating under a feeling of constant stress.

Signs Your Loved One Is Struggling with Social Isolation

How do you know if an older loved one may be experiencing loneliness? Not everyone can easily communicate that they are socially isolated. However, if they have risk factors for it due to age and living alone, then look for signs that your family member could be experiencing loneliness. These signs may include:

• Grumpy, surly, or antisocial demeanor
• Body language that looks defeated
• Demanding attention by dominating conversations without empathy for others
• Lacking in confidence
• Obvious distrust of the motives and actions of others
• Staying busy all day with isolating activities like watching TV or reading
• Rejecting invitations to participate almost all of the time
• Evidence of no longer taking care of themselves or their home, with a diminished quality of life

What Seniors Can Do to Avoid Loneliness

It’s easy to dwell on the past and long for those friends and family members to be around again. Yet, that doesn’t help with your future. Instead, find ways to begin introducing yourself back into the community that you do have access to. To combat the loneliness that you’re feeling, consider the following ideas:

• Start using technology. Simple technology can allow you to remain in contact with people who may have moved away or family members who are now busy raising their own families.
  
• Join online or local groups with people who engage in activities you like to do, whether playing games or cards, reporting on the latest political news, or engaging in clubs, for instance, crafting, creating, or building-focused groups.
  
• Address social isolation with your doctor. Older adults may experience a significant improvement in mental health by opening up to a trusted provider about their problems.
  
• Access local resources, including senior centers, religious organizations, or community groups, to become involved, even if you do so through technology, such as video meetings and chats.
  
• Learn something new and do it with a friend. Knowledge is an important tool in building quality of life. With extra time on your hands, you can become a solid researcher, a lifelong learner, or a committed student of a topic you’ve always loved.
  

The fact is, meeting just once a week with one or two groups that interest you can give you the resilience you need to be confident in your future. It can also help you fight depression and 

allow you to contribute to the community like other adults.

How to Help Your Loved One Through Loneliness?

How can you help an older loved one who may be feeling lonely? Here are some simple acts 

that can make a difference:

Give your time: If you’re far away, a simple weekly phone call or video chat can boost someone’s mood and spirit. Sending cards frequently, as a surprise at the mailbox, is always lovely. If you’re nearby, setting up a weekly coffee date or inviting your loved one to dinner at your home can make them feel included and valued. Plus, they’ll have something to look 

forward to and be excited about.

Make an offer of help: Do you have a neighbor who seems lonely? Find a reason to stop by with some cookies, ask if they need help with errands, or just pop by to make sure that they’re ok. Ask an older loved one who lives nearby if they need help with shopping or a ride to a doctor’s appointment. Help with any projects they hoped to accomplish, from putting together a lamp to cleaning out a closet. Having extra support will make a loved one feel able to accomplish something they have been thinking of doing.

Find ways to engage: Innovation makes it easier than ever for people to spend time with and engage with their loved ones, even over a distance. For example, engagement through online platforms, such as computer games, can be helpful. You may be able to create a routine connection each week with a family member to report on your health and well-being through a video call. You can also read and review a book together. Social connections through social media can also be helpful.

Ensure family members have access to the help they need: Older adults do not always feel they can ask for help. Even with daily activities, they need support for both physical and mental health. You can help by ensuring they have professional help available to them. If the older adults in your life have risk factors, address social isolation head-on. Seek help from area agencies—you do not have to feel like this is only your problem to navigate.

Loneliness is common, but it doesn’t have to be. By being aware of the behaviors that lonely older adults may exhibit and the tools that can help them feel connected, you can ensure that 

they are living their best lives.

How CarePatrol Can Help Families Find Support and Proper Care

CarePatrol is honored to partner with families to help older adults find the best senior care solutions. By matching clients to the right community for them, lives are changed each and every day. From assisted living to nursing homes, we help you find the right solution for your needs. That’s why we do what we do. Reach out to a local senior care advisor today to get started.