Home | About us | Contact us | Printer friendly | Email to a friend

Reducing social isolation

Social isolation and loneliness are often considered to be problems of growing older but can affect younger people too. As people age, many outlive relatives and friends or do not live near to them and social interaction may become limited as people stay closer to home because of mobility difficulties and increased chronic illness. Older individuals may be more or less dissatisfied with the narrowing of their social network; and for those who are dissatisfied, the result is feeling lonely.

Researchers and practitioners tend to agree that social isolation and social loneliness among older people are often related to living alone and being in poor health.

Social isolation, because of widowhood or divorce for example, has adverse effects on health. Playing a part in family life, and/or being a member of a community or religious organisation has beneficial effects on health, can improve a person's self-worth and enable older people to make a greater contribution to society.

Social integration and good social networks are important factors for successful ageing. Consequently, identification of the factors that promote integration and participation offers a relevant and important approach to improving quality of life for older people.

It might sound like an outrageous boast, but sociable activities can be just as good for us as keeping physically fit. In 1988 James S House, chair of sociology and a researcher at Michigan's Institute for Social Research published a review of the medical research into the effects of keeping up with friends and engaging in social activities. He found that a lack of good social relationships was a major risk factor for poor health, in the same way as blood pressure, blood lipids, obesity and physical activity.

In a 13-year study, published in 1999 in the British Medical Journal, of nearly 3,000 senior citizens found that social activities such as playing bingo or going to church were as important as regular exercise. The results led the authors to conclude that social activities that involve little or no enhancement of fitness lower the risk of death as much as fitness activities do. (Although both are even better!)

Isolation can often creep up on people in their later years and it can rob the mind of the stimulation it needs to stay in tip-top form. A study of 2812 people aged 65 years or more found that not taking part in social activities was associated with mental decline in later years. But the good news is that stimulating activity can protect against it. Researchers studying American women aged 60-72 years found that contact with friends and relatives and keeping up social activities had a significant effect in protecting against mental decline in those women who lived alone.

Predisposing Factors to Social Isolation

A. Health factors

Certain diseases, such as degenerative joint diseases, stroke, depression, Parkinson's disease and heart diseases, which may lead to impairment in the mobility of older people, can result in decreased social activities and social isolation.

B. Personal factors

Introverted older people may not have the interest in joining social activities. Financial difficulties may lead to avoidance of social activities in order to minimize living expenses. Furthermore, older people on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance may reduce their contact with others due to a feeling of inferiority.

C. Family factors

Older people may isolate themselves due to bereavement e.g. spouse's death. Nowadays, the contact between older people and their adult children tends to decrease, as most adult children move out from their parent's homes, and are busy with their own lives. Moreover, older people may feel ashamed if they have children addicted to drugs, affected by HIV or AIDS, suffering from mental illness, or in debt; and hence will stay away from others.

D. Environmental factors

Moving to housing for senior citizens, residential care homes or to a different district, may reduce the opportunity of contact with family, friends and former neighbours.

How to Reduce Social Isolation

A. Keep In Touch with Friends and Relatives

Instead of passively waiting, take the initiative to contact relatives, friends, and previous neighbours for mutual support. Older people can also chat with friends and relatives by means of phone calls or e-mails if they need to stay at home. If there is worry about disturbing others, simply ask for the most convenient time for calling. Make phone calls to adult children while they are free (e.g. night time or weekends), avoiding times when they are busy (e.g. lunchtime or office hours).

B. Join Activities of Social Centres

Joining activities arranged by nearby social centres is a good means of expanding the social circle. These activities can facilitate older people to develop their interests and hobbies, and to meet new friends. During initial contact with new friends, do not be disappointed by the seemingly indifferent response of others at an early stage, as an initial period of adaptation is needed for understanding each other. Taking the initiative to break the ice and doing things together are the best ways to overcome obstacles in building up relationships with others.

C. Older people with Chronic Illnesses and Carers

Older people with chronic illnesses can join patient self-help groups. Through the sharing of experience and feelings, it is easier to face illnesses in the company of other patients. Anxiety and loneliness can also be relieved. On the other hand, by simplifying or rearrangement of housework, or making use of respite services for the older people, carers can spare time to participate in social activities, which can help to reduce stress. Both elderly patients and carers can also learn appropriate stress management techniques, which can help to reduce the pressures arising from changes in life.

The Healthy Ageing Programme can put you in touch with self-help groups, clubs and other activities.

For further information on the Waltham Forest Healthy Ageing Programme Age Concern Waltham Forest 020 8539 8356 or e-mail j.williams@ageconcernwf.org.uk.