Senior Adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss.
Loneliness is the feeling being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact. Social isolation is a lack of social connections. Social isolation can lead to loneliness in some people, while others can feel lonely without being socially isolated.
Chronic loneliness can lead to:
• Depression
• Sleep disorders
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Mental health and emotional
problems
• Substance abuse
Social isolation increases the risk
of early death by 50–84%! The
stress of loneliness affects immune
system functioning and increases
inflammation, precursors to countless
more complex medical issues.
Some of the signs to watch for, both in yourself and in your loved ones, include:
• Inability to connect except
on a very superficial level
• No close or “best” friends
• A feeling of isolation, even
when in a group
• Exhaustion in social situations
• A continual feeling of being
drained or unmotivated
SOURCE CIGNA HEALTHCARE
One of the easiest ways to remedy loneliness:
Bring in a qualified professional caregiver to take care of your senior. Learn more about A Remedy Home Care top notch caregivers here.