Loneliness In The Elderly And Ways To Manage It

Loneliness is not a disorder or state of being. It is a feeling of abandonment. This is the reason why loneliness demands acknowledgement more than anything. Older people tend to be more vulnerable to this feeling. This social isolation has detrimental effects on mental as well as physical wellbeing. Depression is just one of many repercussions loneliness has on seniors. Social isolation can also cause eating disorders, anxiety, sleeping problems, and can even increase the risk of chronic diseases in the elderly.

There are several reasons for this feeling of isolation in the advanced years. Death of a spouse or children moving away can instil a left-alone feeling in them. A sudden change in the living environment can also inversely affect their mental well-being. The fear of becoming a burden or the fear of going out and falling, difficulty in communicating or certain illnesses can be other reasons the loneliness. 

It is very important to support the elderly in their journey to overcome loneliness as it the moral responsibility of the younger generation to lend a helping hand when they need it the most. Here are some foolproof approaches to help them through their loneliness.

Reducing Loneliness in the Elderly: Effective Strategies

• Be their guest.

Visit them whenever possible. Make sure you do this at least once a week. This will generate a feeling of being wanted in them. Try to bring in children and other family members during this course of visit as children can infuse a new level of happiness and excitement into their mundane life.

• Introduce them to the tech world

Engaging the elderly with something new can occupy most of their time. Computers, tablets or mobile phones can be helpful as well as informative for their age. This will reduce the loneliness to a big extent as both communication and entertainment are made easy through this method. Skyping or face-timing grandchildren or near and dear ones can bring joy to their lives. The thought of studying and doing well in something new can also make them feel proud and content.

• Adopt a pet for them

The best way to help the elderly to cope with isolation is by gifting them a pet or by suggesting them to get one for them as a companion for life. If you want to surprise them, make sure you get them a pet they will appreciate. 

• Encourage them to get involved with community clubs and in volunteering 

Once they start interacting with like-minded people, their lives will become more colourful and meaningful. Volunteering can also be a good mind diverting activity that gives them an opportunity to relish their qualities like patience, calmness, and experiences. 

• Be their host

Invite the older people over for lunch or dinners or even stayovers. Spending time with a family can reinstate their hope and faith in love. The feeling of social isolation in the elderly can be brought down to a large extent with these kinds of small initiatives. 

Loneliness and social isolation are mostly seen among seniors living alone in homes. A home is a comfort-zone which makes the seniors more and more inactive and lonely. Combatting loneliness might not be always easy, especially at older ages. 

Primus has senior living spaces built with an elder-centric ecosystem aiming at the physical and mental well-being of the elderly. We focus on providing luxurious facilities at the convenience of your loved ones. Let them socialize and feel less lonely and more worthy of their lives.