Old lonely people often say that I am lost, anxious, forgotten and fearful.Also unable to keep daily social life and have lost confidence and find it difficult to maintain social relationships with other.Some are in state of bereavement meaning
the state of having lost a relative or close friend who has recently died,
The death of a relative or close friend or life partner leads to bereavement.
Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after a death. It can last anywhere from a few hours to days or weeks or months.
The feelings experienced in the first stage of grief may be fear, shock, or numbness. The person may be have pangs of distress, often triggered by reminders of the deceased. During this time, the bereaved person may feel emotionally “shut off” from the world.
However, there is a difference between grief and bereavement. Grief describes the response to any type of loss. Bereavement is grief that involves the death of a beloved one. Grief includes a variety of feelings that go along with the process of moving on from a significant change or loss.
Bereavement is the period of sadness and loneliness that we experience from a loss. Typically this loss is the death of a loved one, however, the loss can be due to other factors. For example, it is possible for someone to experience bereavement as a result of losing a spouse in a divorce.
Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness:
Mental and physical health are interconnected. Social isolation's adverse health consequences range from sleeplessness to reduced immune function. Loneliness is associated with higher anxiety, depression, and suicide rates.
Older 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 of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact.
Those who find themselves unexpectedly isolated due to the illness of a loved one, separation from friends or family, loss of mobility, worsening vision or hearing problems, disability, or lack of mobility or access to transportation, are at particular risk of loneliness and social isolation.Issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem often result from social isolation, but they can also cause it.
How do seniors become socially isolated? Social isolation among seniors can be a result of several factors. Many seniors experience physical changes (such as sickness or disability) and life changes (such as the loss of a spouse), which can reduce the number of social contacts and limit activities.
Problem of loneliness in elderly:
Feeling lonely can also have a negative impact on your mental health, especially if these feelings have lasted a long time. Some research suggests that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.Social isolation and loneliness in older people pose health risks.
Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even death.
The reasons for loneliness in old age:
People can become socially isolated for a variety of reasons, such as getting older or weaker, no longer being the hub of their family, leaving the workplace, the deaths of spouses and friends, or through disability or illness.
Vicissitudes(vicissitudes
one of the many changes and problems in a situation or your life, that you have to deal with) of living, faulty diet, malnutrition, infectious intoxications, gluttony, inadequate rest, emotional stress, overwork, endocrine disorders and environmental conditions like heat and cold are some of the common secondary causes of physical decline.
How to help for Loneliness in the elderly:
•Start a conversation. It's not always easy to know who or how to help
Offer practical help.
•Share your time.
•Help with household tasks.
•Share a meal.
•Watch out for signs of winter illness.
Reducing social isolation and loneliness among older people:
Social isolation typically refers to solitude that is unwanted and unhealthy.
Factors that prevent people from engaging with others, such as long-term illness, disabilities, transportation issues, unemployment, or exposure to domestic or community violence, may increase social isolation and loneliness.
Socially isolated people may lack friends or close coworkers, and they often feel lonely or depressed. They can suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety.
The effects of social isolation:
Research has shown that chronic social isolation increases the risk of mental health issues like depression, anxiety and substance abuse, as well as chronic conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. It also raises the risk of dementia in older adults.
The most common cause of social isolation among the elderly:
The loneliness and social isolation that seniors experience is usually caused by low-quality social relationships, or a lack of these relationships entirely. However, there are many other things that could cause these issues, such as being age 80 or older, having chronic health problems, and changing family structures.
Impact of loneliness and isolation on mental health of elderly:
"Lacking encouragement from family or friends, those who are lonely may slide into unhealthy habits," Valtorta says. "In addition, loneliness has been found to raise levels of stress, impede sleep and, in turn, harm the body. Loneliness can also augment depression or anxiety."
The measures to improve social isolation in elderly :
These include
•Social skills training, community and support groups, befriending, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
•Creating more age-friendly communities by improving access to transportation. •Information and communication technologies can also help reduce social isolation and loneliness.
Information compiled by:
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
