Year after year, loneliness in older adults is becoming an increasingly concerning problem. The lifestyle of their families has a negative impact on their daily lives and they experience loneliness despite living with them. This situation is caused by the isolation they suffer due to discomfort or not feeling part of the rhythm of life of their loved ones.
Isolation derives from different social, emotional, and physical conflicts, which have repercussions on the interactions with the older adult’s closest social circles. There may be different signs that indicate this condition. Older adults may lose their self-confidence and self-assurance, leaving aside social and emotional skills that help them to cope in their daily lives.
Nostalgia for the past can also occur in an isolated person, as they become immersed in memories of times with loved ones that they have often lost throughout their lives as a result of moving, death or the passing of time. Losing friends, partners or relatives is one of the triggers for isolation in older adults, which leads them to suffer from loneliness and sadness.
For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the signs of isolation in our older relatives and prevent it from turning into depression. At this age, a mental illness of this type will lead to more anxiety, sleep disorders, and even physical problems such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and more. It has been shown that loneliness can affect memory and cognition, which increases the risk of dementia.
It is this lack of social contact and, consequently, living in chronic loneliness that can lead older adults to feel hopeless and even marginalized by society as they lack the ability to be part of the daily life of their community and its social aspects. It is also reflected in having difficulties participating in activities they used to enjoy and that can lead to a fear of experiencing new social situations, which makes it more complicated to resume a more active life and leave loneliness behind.
It is normal for situations to occur that may be uncomfortable for the older adult. However, it is possible to take measures that will gradually help to change the mood and slowly recover their confidence and assurance to avoid isolation and loneliness.
As a first step, it will be necessary to encourage social interaction within the family. Talking about daily life or asking for advice for simple situations at work or as a couple, can contribute greatly to the well-being of the person because it will encourage important participation within the family.
It will also be essential to create spaces for contact with other older adults in which they can share common activities and thus create new relationships. It will be the family’s task to make these interactions a habit to encourage the older relative’s mental well-being.
Finally, an important aspect will be to incorporate technology into the daily life of the older adult in order to improve contact with friends and family. Seeking new interests and learning new things will help them stay mentally active.
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Consecuencias de la soledad: Aislamiento social ♿ – Cuidum –
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