43% of Seniors Affected by Little Recognized Health Risk

Far from a mere inconvenience or annoyance, loneliness can be a serious health risk. And what's worse, loneliness could be on the rise among older Americans. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, 43% of U.S. seniors feel lonely on a regular basis. While older age in itself doesn’t predispose a person to loneliness, it can be a factor. Loneliness is dangerous because it can cause poor eating habits and raise numerous health risks, increasing a person’s chances of premature death by 45%. Strained relationships, lost significant others and retirement can leave some people feeling lonely and purposeless, and hearing or health issues can add further strain and isolation.

The Effects of Loneliness

Loneliness can be a dark and terrifying experience, turning the home into one big solitary confinement chamber, especially for people with limited mobility. About 13.3 million older adults live alone. For many of them, they face a life of poverty and poor health. With reduced means and no one but themselves to cook for, some lonely seniors cut corners on meals, putting themselves at risk of malnutrition. They’re also less likely to exercise, which can further increase medical risks.

But social isolation can do far worse than ruin a person’s zest for meal planning or hitting the gym. Loneliness increases the risk of depression, obesity, cognitive decline and possibly even impaired immune health. Chronic loneliness may increase coronary heart disease risks by as much as 29% and stroke risks by 32%, and it can raise a person’s overall mortality risk by a whopping 45%. Loneliness is so stressful on the body that some authorities have compared it to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The effects on the psyche can be just as profound. A lack of interaction can cause a person to lose touch with the rest of the world, which can lead to diminished trust in others. Some isolated people may eventually feel threatened by simple interactions with others, and they may turn away from help, even if they need it. About 90% of older adults who live on their own would prefer to stay that way as they may feel fearful of losing their independence or becoming a burden on others, even when under severe financial strain.

Identifying the Signs

Loneliness can strike anyone, but older people are most at risk. And it may not happen all at once—sometimes people isolate a little at a time—which makes it particularly difficult to recognize. Strained relationships and lost friends may slowly leave a person alone both physically and figuratively. Life circumstances, such as retirement or the loss of a significant other, can also be potential factors. Remember that while people may crowd around during a funeral service, making it seem as though the person is surrounded and supported, most or all of those people go back to their lives shortly thereafter and the primary mourner may be left alone and isolated.

People at the highest risk of becoming isolated live by themselves and are unlikely to participate in any social groups. Hearing or health problems can further worsen a person’s chances of engaging in loneliness busting activities, so it may help to watch out for these things as well. Despite the stacked odds, loneliness doesn’t have to win.

Reaching Out

There are a number of actions to take to get back into or help someone else get back to the social scene. Focusing on passions and volunteering are big ones. Look up old friends or reach out to a neighbor and get to know them better. Connect with friends and family on social media sites like Facebook or email if possible. Look at social media to find local groups seeking volunteers, too. Or Google the city and "volunteers needed" to see if there are places that would welcome a new friend.

It may seem hard or frightening to reach out but honesty relieves the pressure right away and helps everyone to connect. Just say "I'm lonely, can we meet for coffee?" and you may be pleasantly surprised at the response.

Loneliness might have a firm grip on many older residents, but it is possible to break free. Reach out if you’re in need, or to someone you care about if you see them slipping away. Modern life is so busy that it's easy to forget to look around and help one another—and sometimes we forget until it's too late. It's easy to make a difference if we can just pay attention.

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