Loneliness In The Elderly: How Does It Affect Health?

Loneliness is holistic in the elderly, and the elderly are usually the population group most affected by loneliness. Unfortunately, in Western culture, people often turn their backs on them, probably for fear that they don’t want to face this fate that might threaten themselves as well.

In times of grief, anger, or disappointment, some prefer to isolate themselves from others. But when the situation finally eases, the need for follow-up grows again and they again need the spiritual support of all those people who in one way or another are able to motivate them in their lives to move forward.

Few choose solitude because the presence of other people and feeling important to someone are undeniable human needs.

Research reveals that loneliness is a serious health problem and leads to feelings of worthlessness, which in turn can lead to premature death. Loneliness has been linked to deteriorating mental health as well as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and dementia.

How does loneliness affect older people?

Estimates show that 10% of older people are lonely and that this impairs their physical and mental health. 70% of them have some serious health problem related to loneliness, both mental and physical.

In general, loneliness affects brain health in much the same way as chronic stress. Both elicit an endocrine and immune system negative response, which impairs health and makes a person more susceptible to various diseases.

Loneliness in the elderly and the diseases caused by it

Studies show that the most common diseases caused by loneliness are high blood pressure, diabetes, recurrent infections, anxiety and depression.

In older people, its effects are more direct and negative due to a decrease in physiological tolerance – in other words, the body’s ability to tolerate and adapt to adverse conditions is impaired. In addition, the repair capacity of cells decreases as we age.

Most worrying is that loneliness is a growing problem in the elderly. It will be a global health problem within a few years.

If experts in the field solve this problem, it can bring many health benefits to the elderly. In fact, psychologists believe that maintaining social life is a key factor in a good quality of life.

Follow the elderly

David McCullough is president of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service Organization. The organization works with more than 40,000 volunteers who keep seniors in the UK. McCullough reveals that loneliness and its effects on health are a growing concern.

McCullough and a group of volunteers help the homeless to the best of their ability; especially the elderly, who in their loneliness are already suffering from many ailments, including decreased mobility, dementia, and mental health problems.

Data from the UK reveal that a large proportion of the older population, especially those over the age of 65, feel either “lonely” or “very lonely”.

For this reason, the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service Organization seeks to:

• To provide them with food
• To provide them with accommodation

• To find a companion for them

For those who, for one reason or another, are completely alone, even the slightest social contact on a daily basis can reduce the side effects of loneliness, meaning it can improve their health.

Is there a solution?

The way in which an older person has been socially active throughout his or her life has a decisive impact on when he or she is alone. It is much more difficult to provide care and support to an elderly person who has had difficulty having social interaction throughout their life and whose life is marked by rejection, confusion or fear.

However, the solution to these situations can be found in psychological intervention and tailored treatment.

Also, support groups, support from friends, hobby groups for the elderly, and just talking to another person during the day can help the elderly cope with loneliness and improve their health in many ways.

Loneliness in the elderly: a summary

The elderly can easily be left alone in developed countries. We must therefore take action as a society to keep up with them and make them feel an active part of society again. After all, they have given us everything, taken care of us, worked for us, and sacrificed everything before us.

Each of us has a moral obligation not to reject the elderly. We may one day become as lonely as they are, and we certainly want others to do the same for us then; we want people by our side who love us and keep us company as well.