Loneliness is often regarded as a temporary issue that can be resolved during a 30-minute chat over coffee. However, chronic loneliness is known to have a serious effect on both mental and physical health. Depression and cardiovascular issues are just two of the problems that can result from feelings of social isolation.

Recent data has shown an alarming increase in loneliness among older people in the United States. If nothing is done to curb this rise, it poses a huge threat to healthcare infrastructure across the country.

In this article, we’ll explain the reasons driving the sharp rise in loneliness among the elderly, as well as highlighting what can be done to solve the problem.

Why are older people becoming lonely?

Loneliness among adults in the US is widespread, with AARP data showing that 40% of adults over 45 are reporting feeling lonely. This represents a 5% increase on the last time the survey was carried out in 2018. Such an increase in a relatively short amount of time can’t be ignored. It poses the question, “why are older people becoming more lonely?”

Retirement

Retirement will have a negative effect on an older person’s state of mind if they don’t replace their job with a social hobby. For the first time in their adult life they won’t be seeing colleagues every day, communicating with canteen staff, or chatting with somebody en route to the office. The loss of these relationships, even if they never advance beyond small talk, has a major effect on someone’s day-to-day life.

It will also take away a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed each morning. This can chip away at their self esteem and keep them housebound, allowing loneliness to set in.

The loss of loved ones

There’s unfortunately no hiding from the fact that as we age, we lose people that we hold dear. Whether it’s spouses, family members, or friends, the impact can be devastating for older people. The loss of a spouse often has the most profound impact, compounding grief with an empty house and the bittersweet lingering of memories wherever the person goes.

This level of grief can also have a severe impact on a person’s mental and physical state, which we will touch on more later in the article.

Shrinking social circles and geographic isolation

As people get older, their social circles shrink. People move across the country, responsibilities change, and their time is split in multiple different directions. As an older person, it’s not always easy to get around to visit friends and family, even if they still live in the same state.

If a person has given up driving, they’ll likely be relying on public transportation to get them around. The infrastructure for this just isn’t there in many cities and towns, especially in rural areas. This can leave people completely isolated with no obvious solution to prevent it.

Technological disconnection

With much of the world existing in the digital ether, older people have often found it difficult to keep up. After all, technology to the older generations isn’t a second language like it is for their younger counterparts. This can leave the elderly feeling completely disconnected. Whether it be struggling to use a device to video call family, or their favourite magazine discontinuing print in favor of digital media, the impact is felt.

How loneliness affects health

Loneliness isn’t just a mental hurdle that sufferers have to find a way over. Prolonged feelings of loneliness can increase the risk of severe physical and mental health issues, turning it from a social problem to a full national health emergency.

Physical health effects

The immune system weakens when someone is lonely, leaving them exposed to infections such as the flu. While these sorts of illnesses can be shaken off by younger people, they pose a serious threat to the long term wellbeing of the elderly. Heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure also loom larger during loneliness.

Loneliness can accelerate physical brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, which will further the isolation of the sufferer. This is a result of low cognitive stimulation brought about by a lack of socialising.

As well as diseases and cognitive decline, loneliness can completely alter someone’s lifestyle. Poor sleep quality, a lack of motivation, and an unwillingness to exercise increases the threat of obesity and joint issues due to lack of movement.

Mental health effects

People who suffer with chronic loneliness can quickly find themselves spiraling into depression, caused by extended low moods. Depression often prevents people from wanting to seek out social interaction, which only furthers the impact of the condition.

Anxiety is another mental health problem associated with loneliness. Once again, sufferers can find themselves locked in a cycle, not feeling capable of socialising during a time they really need to.

How the problem of loneliness can be solved

There is no quick and simple solution to solving America’s loneliness epidemic. However, there are a handful of steps that can be taken on an individual level to get older people back to living socially fulfilling lives.

Community solutions

Towns and cities across the US offer various programs that lend a social hand to elderly and isolated individuals. These come in the form of social clubs and sometimes ‘buddy systems’, which pair an elderly person with a volunteer to offer conversation and companionship.

As well as joining social clubs, making use of community-led transport solutions can reduce isolation among the elderly. These initiatives help provide the elderly with mobility, offering rides to supermarkets, hospital appointments and, in some cases, specific requested locations. Of course, these initiatives vary from state to state, with some initiatives requiring a fee and some being volunteer based.

Organizations such as AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) are useful for finding out more about elderly-focused schemes taking place in specific regions.

Technology integration

Feelings of loneliness can cause older people to retreat back into their shell. It can leave them feeling too anxious to leave the home in case they come into difficulty, become ill, or have a fall. That’s where the introduction of technology can help.

Adapting to new technology is tough for a lot of older people across the US. Thankfully, there are simple solutions on offer to keep them connected while not being overwhelmed. Personal alarms can will give them the confidence to leave the home knowing help is on offer at the touch of a panic button. This will give them the freedom to live a more social life while retaining independence.

Healthcare intervention

While there is no medicinal cure for loneliness, doctors can identify chronic loneliness and offer support if they believe a person is suffering. They can do so by recommending local resources and social opportunities, or referring the person to a therapist. They can also diagnose and treat issues that may be contributing to loneliness, such as mobility problems, hearing loss, or cognitive decline.

How SureSafe personal alarms can help fight loneliness among seniors

The fight against loneliness is currently being fought on multiple fronts, with technology playing a major part in reconnecting seniors with their social lives. However, technology is often deemed too complicated and technical for older people. Thankfully, with SureSafe personal alarms for the elderly, this isn’t the case.

Our wearable devices are simple for anyone to use, despite being packed with high-end features. Among the features included is an SOS button and GPS tracker, which connects the elderly person with a monitoring team if they become confused while out and about. This will allow them to feel comfortable leaving the house, relieving a lot of the anxiety that goes hand in hand with chronic loneliness.

If you would like some more information about what we have to offer, contact us on 888 919 4472. You can also get in touch using our live chat, or request a call back from one of our experts.