Social isolation is not only about having less interaction with people. You can also go through it while being around many. The ratio of social isolation and loneliness is relatively high in older adults.
Why do older adults go through social isolation more often?
Pew Research Center study states that almost 40% of older adults above 60 live with their families worldwide. Unfortunately, the stats are quite disturbing if we talk about the United States. Compared to the 40% global ratio, the United States stands at 6%.
Living alone is not the only reason for social isolation in older adults. Other factors that cause social isolation include vision or hearing loss, reduced human mobility, and fewer outdoor activities. Older adults with any deficiency or disability may feel like a burden on others. Such thoughts at an older age are common and usually lead older adults towards social isolation.
What are the effects of social isolation?
A good day spent with your loved ones makes you feel happy and healthy. Emotions, whether negative or positive, affect your mental and physical health. Social isolation and loneliness negatively impact your physical health.
Social isolation and loneliness are two distinct subjects. Some introverts never go through loneliness while being socially isolated. Because they enjoy being alone and this thing doesn't deteriorate their health condition.
Dr. Stephen Cole, Director of the Social Genomics Core Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles, researched social isolation and its effects on human health and quoted: "Loneliness acts as a fertilizer for other diseases."
Recent studies show that social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of premature death due to multiple factors. It aids cancer cells in faster growth. Alzheimer's disease is another problem that can cause due to social isolation. Moreover, social isolation can also cause suicide, depression, and anxiety.
How to cope with social isolation?
We have discussed the negative impacts of social isolation on the human body. Now, the question is how to cope with it. Fortunately, there are ways like senior living communities that help older adults to deal with social isolation.
Role of senior living communities.
Senior living communities play an important role in the lives of older adults. These communities help them in multiple ways and try to bring back their life that is lost somewhere.
Senior living communities arrange different activities to engage like-minded people together in one place. These engaging activities help older adults to interact with the type of people they want to interact with. Moreover, they are indulged in different social activities that keep them busy. This way, they don't face social isolation anymore.
Senior Living Communities help older adults to cope with social isolation and loneliness. You can join these communities if you feel you're facing social isolation or loneliness at an older age.
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