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- Written by Nancy J. Schaaf Nancy J. Schaaf
November gives notice of the approaching holiday season and festivities.
While Americans tend to associate holidays with togetherness, joyful occasions, and feelings of warmth and happiness, the season can also worsen feelings of loneliness and isolation in some people, especially older adults.
Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States and putting them at risk for dementia and other medical conditions.
A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered socially isolated.
Older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, strained finances, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss.
Conversely, people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose. These activities seem to help maintain their well-being and may improve their cognitive function, studies show.
The data on older adults and loneliness paints a grim picture, but there are still plenty of opportunities for us to stay socially connected as we age. Here’s how.
Foster friendships. Your friendships may look different as you age. Don’t dismiss less obvious opportunities for meaningful friendships, including with people outside your age group. Maintaining intergenerational friendships can offset loneliness and help both parties have a more positive attitude about aging.
Make gratitude a habit. Practicing gratitude is significant to improve one’s overall health and positivity in the future. Every day you should think of something you are grateful for while being mindful of others during your interactions with them.
Volunteer. Volunteering, such as making Meals on Wheels deliveries, handing out water bottles at a 10K race, or donating your time to a food bank, is consistently associated with fostering community and improving our own quality of life.
Volunteer opportunities are also a great way to stay socially connected. It’s gratifying to help others and is beneficial to both our physical and mental health.
Address hearing issues. Health issues like hearing loss can cause seniors to restrict their activities; research has discovered that hearing loss can also contribute to isolation if left untreated, due to struggles communicating with others and keeping up with conversations.
Anyone struggling with their hearing should talk to their doctor about getting hearing aids.
Attend group activities. It is important that older adults have access to the activities held at senior centers, such as educational programs, exercise classes, shared meals, card games, movie days, and gardening and book clubs.
This is an excellent way to address emotional needs, mental well-being, social connectivity, and overall quality of life. Churches and other community centers may offer similar benefits.
Cultivate hobbies. From knitting to card games, hobbies offer several health benefits, including helping to keep the mind sharp.
Finding a hobby you can share with others — such as taking a pottery class, hitting up a convention for classic car enthusiasts, or using your baking skills to help fundraise for the local school — can also lead to important social connections.
Engage in activities you enjoy and make friends with people with similar interests.
Get moving. Physical exercise increases the body’s level of “feel-good” hormones and can contribute to improved sleep and fewer aches and pains. Seniors should strive for 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise daily.
If you work out at a gym or mall walk, you also can increase social contacts.
Loneliness can be a serious health issue, not only for seniors, but for all. Fortunately, it is treatable.
Nancy J. Schaaf, a retired RN, worked as a school nurse, a nurse supervisor at a men’s prison, and a health educator. She earned her BSN at Edinboro University. She is a freelance writer whose health articles appear in magazines throughout the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at nancyjschaaf@gmail.com.