Elderly and Isolated: Understanding the Impact of Social Isolation on Elderly Patients

Social Isolation and loneliness weigh more than words, for anyone! We crave for affection, love and care, right from the moment we are born. And not getting that can put our mental health off the edge. Here I bring you a detailed account on the impact of social isolation on elderly patients!

Social isolation can be devastating for mental and physical health. Research proves that isolation can cause anxiety, panic, depression. These mental agonies manifest into several physical disorders.

But this is very destructive for elderly patients.

The feelings of emptiness, fear and insecurities often accompanies the elderlies. Stress, sleeplessness, and depression along with the sufferings of chronic diseases are also common in later ages. As such being a part of the community can help!

Talking to someone, sharing a laugh and being part of a group encourages the feelings of safety. This also helps keep away the humming of negativity from the mind. That’s why, most people with grey hair look for a friendly face in the crowd to talk. 

So, when the lockdown happened it took away their support system.

Also Read: How to survive isolation in the time of coronavirus?

Social isolation can be detrimental to the elderly. 

Social isolation can be a challenge for all. But when you are at a later stage at life it becomes a threat. The retrospection and self-reflection, guilt and fear comes consuming. One simple way to keep it away is by talking to someone!

In our traditional set-up of family, elders were the most respected members. They had their entire family and the community to support and care for them. But in this modern nuclear family set-up, elders are the most neglected members.

The children walk away to build their own nest leaving their parents alone. Technology has also changed the concept of community and communications. Today, the world is fitted in the phone which the elders don’t understand. This makes them an odd fit in the modern scape!

Loneliness is the real culprit of many health-related problems. Cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, depression and mental health issues rises with old age. Ageing also weakens the immunity, increases blood pressure, heart diseases and mortality. 

Also Read: COVID-19 and the historic rise in mental health issues

Health Risks of Loneliness: Research

• Social isolation increases a person’s risk of premature death from all causes. 
• It increases the risk of dementia by 50%.
• Poor social relationships increases the risk of heart disease by 29%.
• Isolation can increase the risk of a stroke by 32%.
• Several studies proved social relationship is the key to happiness.
• It’s associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
• Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death.

Also Read: Who will cry when you die

Loneliness Can Be Fatal for Some Seniors

Research and clinical studies have enough data to state that loneliness in seniors may be fatal. 

An earlier study from 1992 followed 2,000 heart patients to check the effects of lonliness. It revealed that aged patients living without a confidant are three times more at risk of mortality. 

Further, a 2012 study tracked over 6,500 elderly men and women. The observation lasted for over a period of seven-year. It concluded that the lack of social contact can lead to early death, regardless of participants’ underlying health issues.

There is enough evidence to say that isolation and loneliness are linked to chronic morbilities. It can increase the risks of high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, depression, cognitive decline, and early death.

We all hear about the suicidal stories related to loneliness. But loneliness can also worsen a pre-existing health condition, thus leading to an early death! 

According to mental psychology, healing happens in the mind. In many medical cases, it’s the patient’s wish to live or die that has surpassed all other factors. And loneliness can dim the wish to live. Thus, taking away the spirit to fight for long life. 

Impact of social isolation on elderly patients

Isolation can lead to reckless choices, regarding diet and lifestyle. It can cause a mental disturbance, depression, sleep troubles and many other issues.

This not only increases the medical burden of the country. It also makes one suffer from the agony that’s preventable. Lonliness can be prevented and cured with a touch of human contact.

Hence, it is important to reach out to the isolated elderlies we know by any chance. The one living in our building, in our neighbourhood, an old teacher, a relative or anyone we have crossed paths. Just being there for them can save them from the pain of isolation! 

In conclusion, even one strong social contact can be life-saving for elderlies.