Social Isolation in the Elderly

Fran’s husband was recently hospitalized and the doctors have determined that he will not be able to return home. He is facing the end of his life. With her husband recently hospitalized and now facing the end of life, Fran, a wife of 65 years hopes that “God will take her quickly after he goes.” Fran describes the emptiness of living alone with the picture of being alone at her table for lunch when she “looks up from her plate and the room is empty. I am alone at the table and it feels awful.”

Two studies have revealed that social isolation is a predictor of premature death. To emphasize, not just a predictor but as good a predictor as alcoholism and a 15 cigarette per day smoking habit. Whoa! Can living alone really have that kind of impact on mortality? Apparently it can.

Is there a difference between loneliness and social isolation? Yes. Loneliness is a feeling. It is subjective and often leads to emotions of sadness and a sense of helplessness.

Social isolation, on the other hand can be measured objectively based on an individual’s contact with others. Social isolation in the elderly can be caused by many factors, some of which come with aging and the times we live in, including family living far away, divorce and death, loss or surrender of independent driving, as well as poor health and low income.

Seniors rank relationships with family and friends second only to health according to a study done in 2000. http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2004/Social_Isolation_Among_Seniors.pdf

And findings of the longest running studies done on health and happiness? It turns out that “supportive relationships are critical. In particular, the giving of support to others had the biggest impact on longevity and life happiness.” http://www.resilience.org/stories/2013-05-03/the-importance-of-supportive-relationships

If you have a friend or family member who is aging alone you can make a difference.  Face to face visits are vital and arranging for relationships that are give and take will assist in providing a sense of being valued.  Our elderly have a lifetime of support and advice to offer.

Fran is doing better than she expected as she has twice daily visits from providers of Seniors Helping Seniors of Southern and Seacoast NH. Arriving to make breakfast and do some housekeeping in the morning, and again to prepare dinner and clean up in the evening, the providers may share meal time by bringing their own dinner, increasing Fran’s desire to eat, but providing the social interaction so necessary for well-being. Supervision is provided for changing in and out of pajamas but the reminiscing about past travels with her husband, early days in the home and during his service in WWII are of greater value. Fran wants and needs to look back and reflect. Even greater, she is now giving while receiving as she sees how she contributes to the lives of those senior providers visiting. They share their stories and reassure Fran that she gives them greater purpose at this stage of their life. This is truly the essence of the phrase “it is in the giving that we receive the most in life.”