By Keri Lipperini, Director, Office
of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs, Administration for Community
Living
Winter is upon us. While some may enjoy the colder climates,
others may start withdrawing from activities and disconnecting from
family and friends. Those who suffer from seasonal depression will face
an even harder battle as they withdraw until springtime returns. The
decline of outdoor activities, followed by a lack of social interaction
during the winter months, could easily lead you to feel isolated and
lonely.
Research shows that social isolation and loneliness can have
a detrimental impact on your health and well-being. In fact, studies by
Julianne Holt-Lunstad at Brigham Young University found that prolonged
social isolation is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,
and more harmful than obesity. Other studies have found that being
socially isolated increases your risk of being targeted for abuse and
neglect. Older adults who lack social connections or report frequent
feelings of loneliness also tend to suffer higher rates of injuries,
infection, depression, cognitive decline, and early death. That is a
profound impact!
Social isolation is complex. Chronic disease, speech or
hearing impairments, inadequate transportation options, and settings that
are not accessible for people with physical and mental disabilities can
each make social isolation worse. You may choose to stay home, where you
feel comfortable, because you feel anxious or embarrassed about your
health or disabilities. Depression, anxiety, early-stage dementia, and
other mental health concern, can also increase your risk of social
isolation. Additionally, If you no longer drive and have limited, or no,
access to public transportation, you are more likely to face social
isolation. This is a particular concern in many rural communities.
In addition to social isolation being complex; it is not
always easy to spot. Just because you live alone, or spend a lot of time
alone, doesn’t mean you are socially isolated and you can be socially
isolated even if you have an extroverted personality and appear socially
engaged. Social isolation is not about being in a room full of people, or
having a lot of “friends” on social media, it is about feeling connected.
Feeling connected means being understood. People often
isolate themselves because they feel no one understands what they are
going through.
So, how do you spot social isolation? You may want to start
by thinking about how you have changed over time. For example, are you
less excited about things you once enjoyed? Do you feel distant from
people or misunderstood? If you are a caregiver, does your loved one seem
less excited about events they once looked forward to, such as the annual
car show or regular social functions? These changes could be red flags indicating
social isolation.
Your risk of social isolation can increase as you get older
for a variety of reasons, including bereavement and greater risk of
disabilities that effect mobility or communication. Nearly one in five
Americans age 65 and older are socially isolated.
However, social isolation can effect anyone at any time. As
a veteran who experienced deployments and the transition from military to
civilian life, I am no stranger to the effects of social isolation.
Anyone, no matter their age, can withdraw or disconnect from family,
friends, or the community.
You may be wondering, what can be done? Studies show that
being active and engaged in your community are great ways to tackle
social isolation.
One such study was an evaluation of ACL’s nutrition program,
which provides meals to older adults. Ninety three percent of
participants who receive meals in congregate settings, such as senior
centers, were socially active and satisfied with their opportunities to
spend time with other people. The typical congregate meal participant
does not experience loneliness and only seven percent of congregate meal
participants screened positively for depression.
Some other ways to engage in meaningful social activities
include:
- Volunteering
or mentoring in your community
- Visiting
your local senior or community center
- Seeking
out leadership roles in a civic organization or faith community
- Signing
up for a cooking, exercise, falls prevention, chronic disease
self-management, or other class
You can also learn about assistive technology solutions, such as
hearing aids and wheelchair ramps, which can make it easier for you to stay
active in your community. If you are a caregiver, encourage your loved
ones to engage in meaningful social activities that increase
opportunities for socialization. If your loved one is unable to get out
of the house, a daily phone call or visitor can make a huge difference.
Ultimately, tackling social isolation is about making our
communities more accessible, inclusive, and caring. If you think someone
in your community is at risk of social isolation, you can start by
reaching out. Try asking if they would like a visit or invite them to
join you on an outing.
To learn more about programs and services in your community
that can help you or a loved one get more engaged, go to eldercare.acl.gov or call 800-677-1116.
Editor’s note: This blog post may be shared/reprinted in
print or online publications. Please include full author byline and a
link to acl.gov.
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