Loneliness and isolation can be as big of a health concern for senior citizens as heart disease, arthritis, or osteoporosis. Seniors are more susceptible to isolation because as they grow older their social network shrinks: spouses pass away, friends get sick, or people move away.
Social isolation is described as a lack of contact with friends, family, and community organizations. Additionally, loneliness is defined as a lack of companionship and social contact. As many as four out of ten people over 65 years of age live alone – it is easy to see why senior isolation is becoming such a large health concern for this population.
Many elderly people are no longer able to drive, which means they are also no longer able to pursue hobbies or attend events at local senior centers. Television is described as a main form of company and many only interact with home delivery workers. This kind of isolation can have major negative consequences on one’s health. Loneliness and social isolation can lead to depression, over eating or drinking, or eating too little, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even early death.
