The Power of Connection: Ending Loneliness For The Elderly

The power of connection: ending loneliness for the elderly by any communication possible.

I can picture myself a few years in the future. I’m lying in bed because my muscles have given out on me (Parkinson’s).

I’m watching people going by the door, yet no one is there to visit me. Each day repeats itself. I am in a nursing home and very lonely.

I don’t want this scenerio to happen to me, but at the rate I’m going, it looks like a very possible outcome. Loneliness among the elderly is more prominent than you know.

The “kids” go on with their “busy” lives and forget about those that raised them (or other family members).

Besides, helping lonely elderly people would mean the world to them. Take time to visit with them and listen to their memories.

Isolation for Elderly

Loneliness for elderly can be detrimental to their livelihood and physical health. It brings them so far down that they just want to give up. Nobody should ever feel like that, especially the elderly.

If you want to see the physical and emotional aspects of a person go downhill, look at a lonely elderly person. Consequently, you don’t have to look far, they’re everywhere.

Loneliness is considered an involuntary separation, abandonment, or rejection by other people despite craving social connections. All they want is to be able to talk to someone…anyone.

Altogether, it’s often accompanied by feelings of isolation and other negative emotions. They may start to feel unwanted and useless. The isolation literally kills them.

COVID Seniors Isolation

The power of connection: ending loneliness for the elderly by calling them on the phone, especially during a pandemic.

Accordingly, COVID really sent seniors into isolation moreso than anyone else. Some already dealing with isolation, COVID made it worse.

Among seniors, loneliness is linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, for example, and social isolation is associated with a greater risk of dementia and of death from all causes.

The pandemic’s arrival left elderly people who lived alone even more isolated than before. They were forced to stay in their homes, with no one visiting them. The only communication they may have had was through the phone, but that’s not the same as in-person communication. The power of touch is a beautiful thing.

Basically, this cut off those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from family and friends, as facilities closed their doors to visitors in an attempt to protect residents.

“There I think were others — and a good portion of them — that really saw concretely circumstances like what we show in the report, which is that isolation and loneliness, together or separately, have dramatic effects on health,” said Carla Perissinotto, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

” I think some of our patients have not recovered from that. I also strongly believe we lost some people prematurely because of this,” says Perissinotto.

The power of connection: ending loneliness for the elderly by knowing the risk factors. Certain factors may increase your risk of social isolation and loneliness. These include:

Firstly, loss of mobility
Vision or hearing problems
Thirdly, psychological or cognitive challenges
Financial struggles
Living alone
Additionally, lack of transportation
Inability to leave home without help
A major life change, such as the death of a family member or retirement
Separation from friends or family
In addition, caring for a loved one who is unwell
Living in a rural, unsafe, or hard-to-reach neighborhood
Experiencing discrimination based on age, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, or gender identity
Lastly, language barriers

Spotting the Symptoms

If you suspect that an elderly person you know might be struggling with loneliness, look for these symptoms:

Firstly, lack of energy or motivation
Loss of interest in hobbies
No interest in socialising
Fourthly, sleep disturbances and memory problems
Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains
Neglect of personal hygiene and other daily routines
Lastly, seemingly unexplained sadness or feelings of despair

Effects of Social Isolation on Elderly

Depression

The power of connection: ending loneliness for the elderly by stopping the effects of social isolation.

Depression is one of the many things that shows up during isolation. What’s more, once it sets in, is hard to get rid of if your social situation remains the same with isolation.

Having gone through it. depression can wreck havoc in your mind, making you believe all sorts of things about yourself.

It is a relentless echo in your mind that not only tells you lies, but you begin to believe those lies. Therefore, it beats you down to a shell of a human being.

Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Cognitive decline and dementia are happening at a faster pace in the elderly than ever before. I believe because of Parkinson’s, I’m going through this process.

My memory (forgetiing how to spell simple words) is slowly going. Hence, that’s why I don’t read books anymore, I don’t remember what I just read unless it’s really interesting.

My mother suffered from dementia towards the end of her life. I believe it was the combination between the mental illnesses and dementia is what made her so angry.

She just kept yelling at everyone and wasn’t making any sense. She was put into a nursing home with the result that she finally would just give up.

Reduced Physical and Mental Health

As some adults get older, they have reduced physical and mental health decline. My mother was a good example of that. She complained at one point that she couldn’t move her legs.

They thought it was because of the dementia. I’m not elderly yet, but I certainly know the process of physical and mental decline because of Parkinson’s.

I used to love going for walks around the neighbothood, but I can’t do that anymore. Now, I can barely walk with pain in every step.

I’m trying to stay optimistic, but with the physical decline, my mental health is somewhat declining. The depression is setting in because I have bad images of the future.

Increased Risk of Mortality

There is definitely a correlation between isolation of the elderly and increased risk of mortality. Isolating (like COVID) and no human contact can lead to depression.

Without a doubt, social isolation and loneliness are associated with an increased risk of mortality in older adults:

All-Cause Mortality

A meta-analysis of 90 cohort studies found that social isolation was associated with a 32% higher risk of all-cause mortality, while loneliness was associated with a 14% higher risk.

Cardiovascular Disease

With the result that social isolation is linked with a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

My dad always said my mother died of a broken heart when she was in the nursing home. I believe that is true. I certainly hope that doesn’t happened to me.

Dementia

Accordingly, social isolation or loneliness is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia. The loneliness can lead to a decline in brain functioning to the point where the chemistry changes, and you notice a mental decline.

Stroke or Coronary Artery Disease

Did you know that social isolation or loneliness can increase the risk of stroke or coronary artery disease by 30%? It’s a reminder of how important staying connected really is!

Some studies have found that infrequent contact with family or friends is the component of isolation that has the strongest association with mortality.

How to Help With a Lonely, Older Parent?

The power of connection: ending loneliness for the elderly by calling a parent. All it takes is for them to hear your voice to lift their spirits.

If you can, visit them! Don’t just briefly speak to them on the phone or text them. Actually physically, make time to visit them. And do it often.

All in all, I don’t care how busy your life is, make time for your parents because they’re not going to be around forever. Even if it’s having a lengthy conversation on the phone.

I don’t care if you have to talk about the old days, have a conversation face to face with them. That’s what they need and crave.

You’ll see a depressed person turn around so fast if you converse with them in person. If you live far away, as I have said, talk as much as you can on the phone.

Where is Loneliness Held in the Body?

Emphatically, loneliness is a complex behavioral state that affects multiple parts of the body and brain, including:

The Brain

The prefrontal cortex and amygdala are key parts of the brain that play a role in loneliness, as well as social awareness and managing emotions.

Loneliness can make the brain focus on alerting us to potential threats, while also shutting down the parts that help us feel connected and understood.

The Nervous System

Loneliness activates the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the body’s “fight or flight” response. This system helps us handle stress and danger by boosting alertness, heart rate, and energy levels.

But when loneliness kicks in, it can ramp up stress and make it much harder to relax and fall asleep. Over time, this stress can mess with your sleep patterns, taking a toll on your health and well-being.

The Body

The power of connection: ending loneliness for the elderly by stopping loneliness from settling in the body.

Loneliness can also cause physical symptoms such as headaches, body aches, flu-like symptoms, and sleep problems.

It can also lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other conditions.

What Happens to Your Body When You’re Lonely?

Loneliness can have many negative effects on your body including:

Stress: Altogether, loneliness can cause stress, which can lead to an elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and higher blood sugar levels.
Inflammation: Chronic stress can lead to inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and tissues.
Weakened immune system: Generally, loneliness can reduce the number of antibodies your body produces to fight infection.
Weight gain: You might eat more or unhealthy foods, or stop exercising, which can lead to weight gain.
Poor sleep: At the same time, loneliness can lead to poor sleep.
Cognitive decline: Loneliness can be linked to poorer cognitive function and a higher risk of dementia.
Antisocial behavior: As well as, loneliness can cause you to pull away from people, even if it isn’t true.

Combating Loneliness in the Elderly

Here are some ideas to help you stay connected:

Find an activity that you enjoy, restart an old hobby, or take a class to learn something new. At any rate, you might have fun and meet people with similar interests.
Schedule time each day to stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors in person, by email, social media, voice call, or text. At least talk with people you trust and share your feelings. Suggest an activity to help nurture and strengthen existing relationships. Sending letters or cards is another good way to keep up friendships.
Consider adopting a pet if you are able to care for one. Equally, animals can be a source of comfort and may also lower stress and blood pressure.
Find a faith-based organization where you can deepen your spirituality and engage with others in activities and events.
As soon as you can, check out resources and programs at your local social service agencies, community and senior centers, and public libraries.

Sum It All Up

The power of connection: ending loneliness for the elderly by just plain talking to them even if you’re a stranger.

If I get put in a nursing home, I don’t want to be the forgotten one which is probably going to happen since my family doesn’t want to be around me anymore and it hurts.

I don’t know if it’s the mental thing or what? I’m not invited to anything anymore. Anyway, That would be another sad day in my life if I’m put in a nursing home.

I’ve worked in some nursing homes as a caregiver and it’s not pretty, especially when they’re understaffed. Because they can only do so much.

Feeling lonely is a very big concern for me. I will just die from the inside out. Therefore, I want a future by having care givers come to my home, not being abandoned in a nursing home. Always love. Until next time…

Articles About Loneliness In Elderly

Social isolation increases risk for death, dementia in older adults

Caring for Someone with COVID-19 at Home

Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults

8 ways older adults can reduce loneliness and social isolation

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy
“One Voice Speaking Up For Loneliness In The Elderly”

“Loneliness is my least favorite thing about life. That thing that I’m most worried about is just being alone without anybody to care for or someone who will care for me.” —Anne Hathaway

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” —Mother Teresa

“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” —Lois Lowry

“When you have nobody you can make a cup of tea for, when nobody needs you, that’s when I think life is over.” —Audrey Hepburn