Researchers have found that social isolation – in a word “loneliness” – is a worldwide social problem. According to studies in Britain and the United States, roughly one in 3 people over the age of 65 live alone. U.S. Census Bureau statistics cite that 11 million (or 28% of people aged 65 and older) lived alone in 2010 (Stevenson, 2017). This actually makes sense when you think about it – as people get older, the likelihood that they will live alone increases. Now, take into consideration another trend – increasingly more adults do not have children. The result is the problem is only going to exacerbate, given how there will be fewer family members available to provide care to aging seniors.
Other studies have found overwhelming evidence that links loneliness to physical illness, cognitive decline, and disease. In light of this, loneliness can and should be seen as a potential public health problem. With that, it is important that we study people who live alone.
Not everyone, however, who lives alone is isolated. Social support and social connection vary considerably across populations and this may vary greatly, based on gender, race, and social class. This is essentially the argument presented by Eric Klinenberg, whose research takes a more expansive approach to understanding social isolation. For Klinenberg, social isolation and solo living arrangements are an indicator of social change.
Who is lonely? Who lives alone?
While living alone does not inevitably lead to social isolation, the research shows that it is certainly a predisposing factor. Loneliness affects people of all ages, young as well as old, suburban and urban dwellers, and men as well as women.
According to Klinenberg, living alone and being “lonely” are not always the same thing. Historically, his work documents how during the mid-century time period in the United States, approximately 4 million Americans lived alone. Put another way, slightly less than 10% of U.S. households were one-person households. This type of living arrangement typified life in the Western region of the country – places like Alaska, Montana, and Nevada, which were settled by migrant men (Klinenberg, 2013).
Times have, however, changed. Now, census estimates indicate there are more than 32 million people living alone in the United States. Again, this figure represents approximately 28% of all American households. Regionally, instead of seeing this pattern of living predominate in the West, it is now more common in big cities throughout the country – places like Seattle, and San Francisco, and Denver, and Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., and Chicago (where between 35 and 45% of the households have just one person). Manhattan exemplifies the pinnacle of solo living, where about 1 of every 2 households is a one-person household.
In spite of this what appears to be a major sea change in living arrangements, these increased rates are still lower than rates of solo living in European cities. Manhattan exemplifies the pinnacle of solo living, where about 1 of every 2 households is a one-person household. The increased rates in the U.S., however, are lower than are solo living rates in European cities (Stromberg, 2012).
After conducting more than 300 interviews, Klinenberg and his team learned that everyone is connected in some way to a family member or friend who lives on their own. Ironically, given how this living arrangement has become commonplace, that means that it is not always questioned, nor is it necessarily claimed as a social identity. Americans, in particular, are quite anxious about isolation. As Klinenberg points out, we believe in self-reliance, but we also long for community. When we discover there is someone in our life who lives alone, the tendency is to worry there’s something wrong; that the person may have difficulty coping and that they don’t have what they want or need. Much of this can be attributed to the rugged individualism that infuses our public discourse often belies a strong desire for community and social bonding (Stromberg).
Lonely Men
A survey published by AARP in 2010 found that one in three adults aged 45 or older reported being chronically lonely. Just a decade before, only one out of five said that. And men are facing the brunt of this epidemic of loneliness. Other research shows that between 1999 and 2010, suicide among men age 50 and over rose by nearly 50 percent. The New York Times reports that “the suicide rate for middle-aged men was 27.3 deaths per 100,000, while for women it was 8.1 deaths per 100,000” (Green)
Professor Way’s research illuminates what may very well be nothing less than the central source of our culture’s epidemic of male loneliness. Driven by our collective assumption that the friendships of boys are both casual and interchangeable, along with our relentless privileging of romantic love over platonic love, we are driving boys into lives Professor Way describes as “autonomous, emotionally stoic, and isolated.” What’s more, the traumatic loss of connection among boys is directly linked to our struggles as men in every aspect of our lives (Green).
These boys declare freely the love they feel for their closest friends. They use the word “love” and they are proud to do so.
Way’s work shows us that in early adolescence, boys express deeply fulfilling emotional connection and love for each other, but by the time they reach adulthood, that sense of connection evaporates. This, she explains, is a catastrophic loss — one that we assume men will simply adjust to. They do not. Millions of men are experiencing a sense of deep loss that haunts them even if they are engaged in fully realized romantic relationships, marriages, and families.
No Homo
The Man Box
Lonely Seniors
It is not uncommon for many of our elderly citizens to lead sad, lonely, and isolated lives. Mary Tony is one example of such a person. Tony is 98 years old and spends almost all of her time by herself. Voyager Films stopped by her house to film her on a typical day.
The goal, of course, was to capture a glimpse of how Mary went about the process of navigating a day in her solo life. During the course of filming, Mary admitted that she doesn’t communicate too much with her family members. Likewise, she noted an absence of the kind of friendships that are typical of nursing home environments. While it is not uncommon for people Mary’s age to live out their lives in retirement homes, keeping company with peers and enjoying organized activities — many like Mary chose a solitary life, preferring the familiar surroundings of their homes. “Aging in place,” as it is often termed, people like Mary struggle to find meaning in their days.
Because she tends to sit by herself at home all day, Mary said she found it necessary to come up with different ways to stay occupied. One way she does this is by stripping the junk mail that she receives. After stripping it, she uses scissors to slice the mail into tiny pieces. Afterward, she puts the tiny pieces inside bags and sets them aside for the trash. Watch this short film clip produced by Voyager Films, which poignantly illustrates aging seniors face, who are sometimes forgotten.
What Can be Done?
According to Dr. Carla Perissinotto, a geriatrician at the University of California, San Francisco, “it is no longer medically or ethically acceptable to ignore older adults who feel lonely and marginalized. Using data from a large national survey of older adults, Dr. Perissinotto looked at the relationship between loneliness and health outcomes. She found that individuals who reported they were lonely had higher rates of declining mobility, they exhibited difficulty performing routine tasks, and they experienced death as an outcome during the 6 year follow-up period. These outcomes were found to remain significant even when controlling for socio-economic status, depression, and other health problems (Hafner, 2016).
Twenty Facts About Senior Isolation
(re-blogged from Sarah Stevenson, “20 Facts About Senior Living,” Senior Living Blog)
1. Senior isolation increases the risk of mortality.
According to a 2012 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, both social isolation and loneliness are associated with a higher risk of mortality in adults aged 52 and older.
One possible explanation: “People who live alone or lack social contacts may be at increased risk of death if acute symptoms develop because there is less of a network of confidantes to prompt medical attention.” Efforts to reduce isolation are the key to addressing the issue of mortality, said the study’s authors.
2. Feelings of loneliness can negatively affect both physical and mental health.
Regardless of the facts of a person’s isolation, seniors who feel lonely and isolated are more likely to report also having poor physical and/or mental health, as reported in a 2009 study using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.
Connecting seniors with social resources, such as senior centers and meal delivery programs, is one way to combat subjective feelings of isolation.
3. Perceived loneliness contributes to cognitive decline and risk of dementia.
Dr. John Cacioppo, a neuroscientist and psychologist at the University of Chicago, has been studying social isolation for 30 years. One frightening finding is that feelings of loneliness are linked to poor cognitive performance and quicker cognitive decline.
We evolved to be a social species, says Dr. Cacioppo – it’s hard-wired into our brains, and when we don’t meet that need, it can have physical and neurological effects.
4. Social isolation makes seniors more vulnerable to elder abuse.
Many studies show a connection between social isolation and higher rates of elder abuse, reports the National Center on Elder Abuse. Whether this is because isolated adults are more likely to fall victim to abuse, or a result of abusers attempting to isolate the elders from others to minimize risk of discovery, researchers aren’t certain.
A critical strategy for reducing elder abuse is speaking up: abuse, neglect and exploitation often go unreported. As for prevention, maintaining connections with senior loved ones helps us ensure their safety.
5. LGBT seniors are much more likely to be socially isolated.
LGBT seniors are twice as likely to live alone, according to SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders); they are more likely to be single and they are less likely to have children – and they are more likely to be estranged from their biological families.
Stigma and discrimination are major roadblocks to support for LGBT seniors, but there are more and more community groups and online resources devoted to helping these elders avoid isolation.
6. Social isolation in seniors is linked to long-term illness.
In the PNAS study mentioned above, illnesses and conditions such as chronic lung disease, arthritis, impaired mobility, and depression were associated with social isolation. Ensuring appropriate care for our loved ones’ illnesses can help prevent this isolation.
For homebound seniors, phone calls and visits can be a critical part of connecting with loved ones. Others may find that moving to an assisted living community addresses both issues – the need for ongoing care and the desire for companionship.
7. Loneliness in seniors is a major risk factor for depression.
Numerous studies over the past decade have shown that feeling loneliness is associated with more depressive symptoms in both middle-aged and older adults.
One important first step is recognizing those feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression and seeking treatment – whether it’s on your own behalf or for the sake of a loved one.
8. Loneliness causes high blood pressure.
A 2010 study in Psychology and Aging indicated a direct relationship between loneliness in older adults and increases in systolic blood pressure over a 4-year period. These increases were independent of race, ethnicity, gender, and other possible contributing factors.
Early interventions for loneliness, say the study’s authors, may be key to preventing both the isolation and associated health risks.
9. Socially isolated seniors are more pessimistic about the future.
According to the National Council on Aging, socially isolated seniors are more likely to predict their quality of life will get worse over the next 5-10 years, are more concerned about needing help from community programs as they get older, and are more likely to express concerns about aging in place.
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) says community-based programs and services are critical in helping ward off potential problems and improving quality of life for older people.
10. Physical and geographic isolation often leads to social isolation.
“One in six seniors living alone in the United States faces physical, cultural, and/or geographical barriers that isolate them from their peers and communities,” reports the National Council on Aging. “This isolation can prevent them from receiving benefits and services that can improve their economic security and their ability to live healthy, independent lives.”
Referring isolated older adults to senior centers, activity programs, and transportation services can go a long way toward creating valuable connections and reducing isolation.
11. Isolated seniors are more likely to need long-term care.
Loneliness and social isolation are major predictors of seniors utilizing home care, as well as entering nursing homes, according to a 2004 report from the Children’s, Women’s and Seniors Health Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Health.
The positive angle of these findings, says the report, is that using long-term health care services can in itself connect seniors with much-needed support. Particularly for seniors in rural areas, entering a care facility may provide companionship and social contact.
12. Loss of a spouse is a major risk factor for loneliness and isolation.
Losing a spouse, an event which becomes more common as people enter older age, has been shown by numerous studies to increase seniors’ vulnerability to emotional and social isolation, says the same report from the British Columbia Ministry of Health. Besides the loneliness brought on by bereavement, the loss of a partner may also mean the loss of social interactions that were facilitated by being part of a couple.
Ensuring seniors have access to family and friendship support can help alleviate this loneliness.
13. Transportation challenges can lead to social isolation.
According to the AARP, “life expectancy exceeds safe driving expectancy after age 70 by about six years for men and 10 years for women.” Yet, 41% of seniors do not feel that the transportation support in their community is adequate, says the NCOA.
Having access to adequate public transportation or other senior transportation services is key to seniors’ accessing programs and resources, as well as their feelings of connectedness and independence.
14. Caregivers of the elderly are also at risk for social isolation.
Being a family caregiver is an enormous responsibility, whether you are caring for a parent, spouse, or other relative. When that person has Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or a physical impairment, the caregiver may feel even less able to set aside his or her caregiving duties to attend to social relationships they previously enjoyed. This can trigger loneliness and depression.
Seeking support, caring for yourself, and even looking for temporary respite care can help ward off caregiver loneliness and restore your sense of connection.
15. Loneliness can be contagious.
Studies have found that loneliness has a tendency to spread from person to person, due to negative social interactions and other factors. In other words, when one person is lonely, that loneliness is more likely to spread to friends or contacts of the lonely individual. Making things even worse, people have a tendency to further isolate people who are lonely because we have evolved to avoid threats to our social cohesion.
It’s a complicated situation, and simply telling seniors to engage in more social activities may not be enough. Considering our loved ones’ needs as individuals is a valuable first step to figuring out how to prevent or combat isolation.
16. Lonely people are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior.
A 2011 study using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) found that people who are socially isolated or lonely are also more likely to report risky health behaviors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking. Conversely, social support can help encourage seniors to eat well, exercise, and live healthy lifestyles.
Living in a community situation can be an effective barrier to loneliness, and most senior communities specifically promote wellness through diet and exercise programs.
17. Volunteering can reduce social isolation and loneliness in seniors.
We all know that volunteering is a rewarding activity, and seniors have a unique skill set and oodles of life experience to contribute to their communities. It can also boost longevity and contribute to mental health and well-being, and it ensures that seniors have a source of social connection.
There are plenty of opportunities tailor-made for seniors interested in volunteering.
18. Feeling isolated? Take a class.
A review of studies looking at various types of interventions on senior loneliness found that the most effective programs for combating isolation had an educational or training component: for instance, classes on health-related topics, computer training, or exercise classes.
19. Technology can help senior isolation – but not always.
Even though modern technology provides us with more opportunities than ever for keeping in touch, sometimes the result is that we feel lonelier than ever. The key to finding technological interventions that really do help, says Health Quality Ontario, is matching those interventions to the specific needs of individual seniors.
One simple strategy that does help: for seniors with hearing loss, simply providing a hearing aid can improve communication and reduce loneliness. Phone contact and Web-based support programs were less consistent in their effectiveness, but for some, they might provide a lifeline.
20. Physical activity reduces senior isolation.
Group exercise programs, it turns out, are a wonderfully effective way to reduce isolation and loneliness in seniors – and of course they have the added benefit of being great for physical and mental health. In one study, discussed by Health Quality Ontario, seniors reported greater well-being regardless of whether the activity was aerobic or lower-impact, like stretching.
Senior isolation is neither inevitable nor irreversible. Getting the facts can help us prevent loneliness in our senior loved ones as they face the life changes of aging.
Note: Twenty Facts by Sarah Stevenson
Sources
Stromberg, Joseph. “Eric Klinenberg on Going Solo: The Surprising Benefits, to Oneself and to Society, of Living Alone.” Smithsonian Magazine, February 2012.
Klinenberg, Eric. Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone. New York: Penguin, 2013.
Hafner, Katie. “Researchers Confront an Epidemic of Loneliness,” The New York Times, September 2016.
Stevenson, Sarah. (2017) “20 Facts About Senior Living,” Senior Living Blog
Filming Mary Tony by Voyager films.
Discussion Questions
Do you know anyone that lives alone that gives you pause for concern? Is that person a senior? Have you ever given much thought about how they navigate their solo life?
What do you think we might do as a society to help? What kinds of programs or living arrangements do you think might help improve the problem? How might cities and towns develop programs to promote social interaction and social bonds?
Or do you think, alternatively, that governments should not play a role in the lives of seniors?
I struggled with a severe eating disorder for 10 years. Coming from a working poor family , I had the misfortune of not being able to access in-patient mental health treatment for my anorexia (as they’re all privatized) nor were my parents fully supportive or understanding of what eating disorders even were as my mom worked 12 hour shifts and my father was disabled . As a result of pro-longed starvation, I developed fears of eating around people which led me to gradually begin isolating myself from the already small social circle I had in young adulthood. Naturally all my friends left me, given how badly I succumbed to the illness.
I have not had any friends in 8 years and it is awfully hard to make them at 27 . I believe the culture of wealth accumulation, which is a staple of any hyper capitalist country, poses a great danger to individuals who suffer from a mental illness to feel all the more marginalized. The social dynamic to make friends, especially in competitive, hyper-consumerist cities like NYC, actually makes it even harder to resolve loneliness as social relationships often amount to transactions, and having no friends labels someone as having “no life”. It is an extremely miserable way to live; however, I believe if mental health services were not as socially stratified, we can at least begin to aid more young adults who might be suffering from loneliness as a result of mental illness.
Furthermore, a culture which places emphasis on success, recognition, and constructing inflated images of the self whether it be through social media or the hyper-reality which consumes many because of social media, is destined to make people who cannot subscribe to these societal standards feel lonely .
Nobody wants to be alone, but it happens to all of us and when it does we are never prepared, because it usually when we are unprepared. But the best we can do is pull ourselves together when that happens and surround ourselves with people that care about us. Also to add we need to keep ourselves busy with things that will help us with the future and not the past.
Feeling lonely and unwanted is the worst feeling in the entire world. Everybody comes in contact with this problem at some point even if they do not want to believe it. You must be kind to others and be open to all different kinds of friendships and relationships to have a healthy life. If you are quiet and standoffish and do not like talking or communicating to other people, then you will be very lonely in life. This loneliness can lead to more serious issues in the future, such as depression and maybe even suicide. I know that these are very drastic measures, but they can potentially lead to that if you are not careful. That is why it is very important to be close with your family and friends no matter the rough patches that you are faced with. I have experienced rough times like this and it is not fun. If you do, then you must seek help from a professional.
The idea of growing old and ending up lonely is one of the major misconceptions people have in this world. Though, as we get older people tend to not have children for many reasons. Having a child is very expensive. Nowadays, and even back then, people had to take care of their parents as if they were their child. Seniors are getting sick and cant afford to get the help they need. Visits from a doctor are uncommon, and healthcare is going down. I currently do not know anyone senior who lives alone. But, when I move out, I have a small fear that my mom will go crazy. I have lived with her for my whole life. she has already kind of showed that she doesn’t want me to leave yet tells me she does so it can be hard to understand what it is like for her.
The loneliness epidemic is a very serious matter. I know how I feel after a whole day of being by myself. It is not a good feeling. I am a very social person, and I love to have contact and conversation with people. If you have ever seen the movies Cast Away with Tom Hanks or I Am Legend with Will Smith, they portray two people who are cut off from civilization for years. They end up going fucking bonkers and rely on inanimate objects to talk to. It bothers me that I don’t get to see my grandmother more. She is 90 years old and lives in her apartment alone. I know she has to be very sad. Even sadder, at 90 years old, most everyone she grew up with is dead. And it is very hard to make friends as a senior citizen if you are isolated.
Loneliness is a very serious issue. One that is consistently ignored time and time again. 32 million people in America live alone. That is a very serious statistic. It doesn’t matter if you are younger or older. Loneliness can find anyone and make them depressed. After watching the video of 98 year old Mary Tony i found myself very sad. The woman is 98 years old and it really touched me watching all ten minutes of that. Being that lonely and being a senior can seriously affect their physical and mental health. What is someone like Mary supposed to do when they have no one. They eat every meal at home alone. There is no one there to comfort them and make them happy. I feel very sad for those types of people and i hope i never find myself lonely like any of these people. It can be very disturbing and saddening just watching this let alone actually living through it. They have no security blanket of having someone else to protect them and be there for them like most other people have at their home. Another thing that spoke to me was the fact that lonely people are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior. Its very sad that when you have no one there for you in your house. It can lead to unhealthy habits and even further damage their life. This really opens my eyes to how serious loneliness can be and how to help those who are lonely.
I know what you mean. My mom was living this kind of life (even though I have a local brother and sister) until I returned to work here. It’s incredibly sad and lots of people – people you know – are probably living this way. The research tells us that it affects men far more than women. The reasons for that have a lot to do with upbringing, the model of masculinity for men that encourages them to “man up” and “go it alone.” Suicide rates for men far exceed women. Churches used to help a lot, but with dwindling church attendance and the resources to go along with it, they don’t always have the people and the money to assist. There is increasing pressure to cut social welfare benefits for programs like Meals on Wheels, which help many old people, who can no longer cook for themselves. This strikes me as unbelievably cruel. And it’s not just the food that helps; the program helps to ensure their clients will have at least one human visit with them and maybe talk to them a bit. When in doubt, reach out!
I never thought as loneliness as a social problem. In American society individuals are raised to be alone and to figure out life’s obstacles by ones self. To an extent, that seems to be the reason why many young individuals seek to go farther for school if they can financial afford to do so !Especially, being on a college campus, one is always
bothered by people; no matter where one goes they have others around them.
We have social media bombard us with new pseudo news and trends, that why It is hard for me to realized loneliness of a individual less than the age of 70.
When I think of social problem, I think of issues that are faced by many individuals around the world, not just solely in American. I don’t think loneliness is a issue in other countries. I think it is up to the younger individual to make a change for themselves not the government. There are so many outlets for individual to stay involved and to communicate with others, thanks to the advancement in technology.
Social isolation is a huge issue that effects many people here in the United States. Whether they are seniors or just never found anyone, living alone and isolated can have a toll on a person’s mental and physical well-being. Luckily, both sets of my grandparents still have each other and both of my grandparents are still very active and involved in their communities everyday. I don’t personally know anyone who lives alone but my roommate’s grandmother lives alone. My roommate always tells me how depressing it can be to visit her grandmother because her grandma doesn’t really do anything with her day. The only time she interacts with people is when my roommate goes to visit her. It is very said and hard to think that someone just spends their day alone and by themselves. I feel like I would go insane if I was in her grandmother’s situation.
To help solve this social issue, I think we, as the guardians of these seniors should put them in senior communities. This will allow them to interact with people their age. These communities should be able to help the seniors interact more with each other. This will increase the senior’s mental and physical well-being. These communities should not be like nursing homes at all, the senior should still be given the chance to live by themselves while also having a fellow senior as a neighbor. To promote more of a community feel, the senior community should have events every week to get the seniors involved in. Another option could be allowing the senior to stay where they live now but having activities in their cities and towns that they live in. These activities will be targeted toward seniors so that they can meet other seniors from their town or city.
The social issue of social isolation is a current and growing problem in the United States that affects millions daily. After reading this article I reflected and thought about the people in my life who are experiences this loneliness in their lives today. My great aunt is 75, divorced, without any family near her. I can see how being alone affects her every day life. When we visit her social interaction skills are poor and would not be considered normal by a societal standard. Physical and mental illnesses can be serious consequences for people who do not encounter other people on a regular basis. Thinking of a single solution does not seem adequate since each case of isolation has different circumstances. It seems that there are just as many solutions as there are problems. One solution that might be somewhat effective is raising awareness for this social issue. By raising awareness for this issue the greater population can be more curious and responsive to the people in their lives who are deemed lonely.
I personally believe loneliness is a big issue in today’s society. More and more people are starting to live alone at a younger age, especially in city areas. I think this is only going to lead to our society becoming more depressed overtime. I believe that the best way to avoid loneliness is to surround yourself with people and be as social as possible. As the article mentioned loneliness is most common in older people because they tend to begin to lose all of the people that surround them in their lives. I know that my grandmother’s sister lives alone after she lost her husband and ever since then she hasn’t been the same. She is always by herself and hates leaving the house. This situation is sad to watch because you can see that she is falling apart inside and out. Even though these are hard situations to witness as a society we can’t really control how people choose to live their lives. I think it would be helpful for the government to come up with more town wise programs that specifically target the older generation just to keep them involved in society as much as possible. This would also help them meet more people who are probably in similar situation as they are. In my eyes all we can do is true to suggest ideas to fix this problem, but at the end of the day the situation is really out of our control.
Personally, I have seen the health problems linked with loneliness and the elderly as well as the means to fixing such an issue. My grandmother (divorced) lives alone and, as all her grandchildren are now much older, I don’t think she has much daily social contact. When i was in middle school it became a problem as she got very sick and had to got o the hospital, but she is better now and I/my family attribute that to her continuing to teach figure skating lessons to young children. Like what was said in the article/post, exercise and having something to do is a great way to combat loneliness and their have been studies that show daily exercise decreases depression. On the other end, my grandfather is a very active person because ever since he was young he always did some form of exercise (whether it be ski jumping then or wind surfing now at the prime age of 80) and is still one of the funniest and strongest people I know.
The concept of assisted livings for elderly also hits close to home, as my family built and run an assisted living complex. Volunteering and working their I have been exposed to how much elderly people need others around them to stay sane and not get lonely. It’s sometimes hard to realize or think about but some elderly people have lost all of their friends and usually by that age their kids have already formed their own lives and families, so they begin to feel neglected or not needed leading to depression and health problems. This is why assisted livings can provide such a greta service to keep people happy and doing daily activities. I do believe loneliness, especially concerning the elderly, is a problem but it has fairly simple solutions in daily exercise/activities, assisted living (if the family can afford it), or simply finding something to do each day.
This article was a bit surprising to me, because I never really thought of loneliness as a major social problem.
When I think of people who live alone, I usually think of two extremes: twenty-somethings who have recently graduated from college and are trying to make it on their own, and the elderly who do not have any family left, or their family does not live near them.
When Dr. Perissinotto compared the relationship between loneliness and health outcomes, it was not surprising to me that older men and women who reported to be lonely had higher rates of declining mobility, could not perform routine tasks easily, and experienced death more often during a follow-up period. This automatically made me think of cancer patients and the importance of having a good, positive support system surrounding you when you’re in need. Whether it be scientifically proven or not, I have always been told and witnessed that lifting the morale of a sick patient can have a huge impact on not only their quality of life, but quantity as well. People are said to live longer while sick if they have supportive people surrounding them, rather than if they were fighting alone. This is because the feeling of loneliness can affect mental health as well as physical.
I actually don’t believe I know anyone that lives alone and gives me pause for concern honestly, but I think that there are a lot of things society can do to help those that do live alone and need some sort of help. One thing I’ve heard about is a joint living situation for seniors and college students in the Netherlands. The students get free housing, and the seniors get a roommate that makes them feel less lonely. I don’t think the students have to actually help the seniors in any way, but they end up doing so out of politeness, and because of the bond which they form. This example seems like one of the best to me because it solves two problems at the same time, and also promotes some intergenerational understanding. To this end, I believe that this is a government program, and believe that the government does owe at least something back to seniors. I believe that the state should take care of those that drove the economy, and treat them well. Everyone gets old eventually, and elders are some of the most important people in society, given their histories and experiences. I believe that government support of seniors is a moral obligation, and is worth the expense. Even though their roles change, seniors still have a lot to contribute to society, and their contributions can be beneficial to younger generations in a way that not much else can.
I thoroughly enjoyed this article because I feel like it sheds light on an increasing problem society is faced with. Too often the elderly population is overlooked and it has detrimental effects on society. Many elderly people do not choose to live alone, and are forced to do so either by the death of a spouse, or lack of family in the area. I found it interesting when the article stated that it is no longer ethical to ignore lonely elderly people. I think that often people forget that loneliness can have such a negative impact on one’s physical and mental health, and just because people are aging doesn’t mean that they should have to be isolated and ignored. The statistic that 25% of Americans have no meaningful social support is staggering and I think it speaks volumes to the current state of our country. Our elderly have worked hard their whole lives, it is important that we treat them with respect.
As stated in the article, that social isolation and loneliness go so commonly ignored is an unfortunate side effect of the heavy emphasis placed on rugged individualism in Western (especially American) society. The cultural obsession of overcoming any problem through sheer force of will is not only sadly unrealistic, it leads to a stigmatization of those rendered incapable of fending for themselves. Equally responsible would most likely be a general lack of understanding towards the topic of mental health. Not only are typical diseases (i.e., the flu) seen as more deserving of serious medical attention, it is quite difficult for the average citizen to empathize with someone whose brain simply works in a fundamentally different, and more detrimental manner. This is to the disadvantage of those experiencing severe isolation, as a number of serious symptoms, such as depression, are not always treated with the weight they deserve, being viewed as a strictly personal problem rather than an issue of either medicine or society.
Parallels can easily be drawn to the previously discussed topic of addiction. While there certainly are differences (addiction would seem to be more avoidable than loneliness), they are alike in that they are serious medical issues that are not treated as such. Addicts are typically punished by the law, rather than rehabilitated, while loneliness is treated as more of a nuisance than a serious medical issue. In order to combat these unfortunate tendencies in our society, a clearer understanding of mental health is a necessity, without which millions of citizens in need of medical attention will be left behind by insistent fantasies of individualism.
I liked this article because it draws attention to the struggles the older generations face, which is often is not seen as a pressing social problem. America treats the elderly very different than a lot of other cultures. For example, it is common in the US for the elderly to live alone, rather than move in with their children. This causes loneliness to be a common social problem that leads to physical illness as well as a negative outlook on life. I was surprised by how many people over the age of 65 live alone, because in college I feel like most people do not picture their futures to be lonely. When I think about the people I know who live alone, they keep busy with activities so they do not feel as lonely. To keep from feeling isolated, they use community resources such as public transportation and senior communities to keep in touch with others their age as well as family members who may not be close by. I also thought about how much technology has changed in the past few decades, which can cause the older generation to feel more out of touch with society and current events. Over winter break, I taught my grandma how to use an iPhone which helps her feel more confident of her independence and more connected to her family. I think more people should be conscious of how challenging it can be to live alone, and work towards making resources more available to the elderly so they can stay involved in their community.
This articles points out a social problem that I think is overlooked by many. I think everyone knows what it is like to feel lonely, but actually being chronically lonely is a different story. Once someone you know is affected by loneliness in a long-term way as described in the article, the issue surrounding that feeling becomes more real and more recognizable as a valid, prevalent issue in society that calls for our attention. This article reminded me of my grandmother, who became widowed a few years ago. After my grandfather’s death, she was obviously mourning his loss, but she also had to cope with her new life of being alone. The loneliness was really difficult for her to deal with, and thankfully my aunt and her family were able to move in with my grandmother to keep her company. That truly helped her heal because she once again had someone she could constantly care for and had more life filling her home. Looking back on this complete transformation and reading this article made me realize that loneliness can become so much more than simply a feeling for people, especially seniors, and is actually quite a problem. Not everyone is able to fix this situation if they, for example, don’t have any family that is able to move in with them or cannot afford to move into a nursing home. It is hard for me to say what a possible solution to this problem would be, because I know in my grandmother’s case what she needed was people around who she could care for, but if programs were offered so that people who were lonely had things to look forward to and places where they could bond with others, I think it could help work towards lessening the problem.
I really enjoyed reading this article because it prompted a social problem that is often overlooked in society. Loneliness is something that no one should have to go through because it is one of the worst feelings for a person to bare. It is sad to think that the elderly face isolation the most because typically, they are the ones that call for the most physical medical attention. I found the link between loneliness and physical health to be really compelling because it makes sense I had just never thought about it in such depth before. While I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of my grandma who is adjusting to her house without the company of my grandpa. She talks to me and lets me know when she is feeling lonely and whether it is that my family drives out to her house for a day or facetimes with her during the day, we are always there to support her and keep her company. She is considerably tech-savy for her age and lives in a gated community comprised by good friends. She also has been watching my uncles dog recently which I found has helped a lot. I would like to see results of a study conducted to see if there is any correlation between loneliness and animals. I truly feel that it is through younger family members as well as through communities as a whole, that will help address this social issue.
I think this article was interesting because not many people think about the idea of “loneliness” as being an actual problem that society needs to fix. The statistics show the true magnitude of this issue. I think it is important for people to get stimulation and be social because it affects our mental health. It is honestly sad to see older people isolated because they are living their lives like they are on a loop, doing the same thing all day each day. Most senior citizens sit in the house all day and do not do anything that is beneficial for their health.
I think senior citizens deserve better treatment too. My grandma used to live in a nursing home because she had Alzheimer’s disease. While working in a place like that must be very difficult, the care she received was not the best. Having to live with the difficulties of the disease is enough a problem, but to not get the care that is required is something else. Eventually my mom decided to take her out of the home and with the help of her siblings they took care of her and gave her the attention she really needed. The decline in social activity does have a negative affect on the brain and mood, so I think it is important to recognize the idea of loneliness as a real problem and the statistics and facts in this article is a good way to open people’s eyes.
Treating loneliness as a social problem is a very interesting concept to me, however I think that it is a valid argument. There is definitely a link between loneliness, isolation, illness, and health problems. I agree that senior isolation is a problem that as a society we do not work to address as much as we should.
My grandmothers are seniors in their mid-eighties and live alone. One of my grandmothers is someone who does give me pause for concern. I think about her a lot, but have never really thought about how her solo life affects her health and wellness. She has been living alone for the past 15 years or so, and she has suffered with depression throughout her life. Recently, however, her symptoms have escalated. She is not overly eager to get out of the house and socialize or join a social group, but I think it is something that we can definitely try to encourage. Similar to the woman Mary mentioned in the article, my grandmother finds a way to spend her time. She is from Italy and her passion is cooking and making all types of Italian food. I think this is a really positive way for her to occupy her time and remain active on a daily basis. During the summer, she has a garden in her backyard that she also tends to. As she gets older, this has become more difficult for her but I think it is still helpful in that it brings purpose and outside activity to her day. After reading about senior isolation, I want to try to make a stronger effort to reach out to both of my grandmothers. Whether it be a visit, phone call, or even a letter, I have a greater awareness that every little thing can make a difference in their physical and mental health.
This was a very interesting article because the connection of loneliness and aging is one that all individuals will encounter, whether it is through carrying for a loved one or carrying for him or herself at an older age. Immediately when I began reading about the effects that aging has on the mind, body, and spirit of older individuals I connected it to my experience studying abroad in Thailand. While in Thailand I was able to spend time with my mom’s friend, Ning, from high school who is Thai and lives in Bangkok. Over the course of 6 months I grew to know her family very well and was educated on Thai customs and values. One of these values was the culturally accepted idea that families were required to care for their elders. Ning’s mother and father lived with the family in their Bangkok home, and had an entire wing attached to their vacation home specifically so they could always remain with the family. The family showed no hesitation or disdain in preparing the grandparents’ food, caring for them, or having them constantly nearby in a way that I feel most Americans feel when caring for elders. The overall love for the grandparents radiated through their sharp minds, playful spirits, and impressive physical abilities (granted their previous medical conditions).
After reading the article I decided to investigate the overall life expectancy in Thailand compared to the United States. According to the World Health Organization, the average life expectancy at birth for males/females is 72/78 while in the U.S.A. that number is 77/82 (World Health Organization, 2015). Although this data clearly demonstrates that the USA has a higher mortality age, it does not take into consideration that Thailand has just exited the definition of “developing country” and become an “upper-middle income economy” in 2011 (Worldbank). I believe that in considering the “developing” state of the nation, the mortality age is extremely impressive. I believe this rate carries a direct relationship with the way elders are incorporated into their families and communities while they age.
My personal experiences have also prompted me to believe that the role of the family is crucial in combating loneliness. I believe that loneliness can only be combated once our society identifies and reevaluates the way we view this isolation. I believe that for a long time loneliness was confused with the concept of “independence” as demonstrated in movies and novels where the protagonist lives in solidarity as a means of “discovering him or herself.” To fix the problem of loneliness our society must realize that reliance on one another is not a weakness, but rather a strengthening factor. Once our ideology has changed, I believe our society will become more like the Thai society in which families, friends, and strangers are more willing to care for one another in hopes that care will be reciprocated. However, this change cannot be made unless our entire society reevaluates it’s core values and understanding of isolation.
Worldbank. (2011). Thailand Overview. Retrieved February 01, 2017, from http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/thailand/overview
World Health Organization. (2015). Retrieved February 01, 2017, from http://www.who.int/countries/
Loneliness is something everyone will experience at some point in their life. Loneliness can be affected to anyone at any age. Even myself can truthfully say that I have been lonely at times but not to the extreme measures. Loneliness comes in many different forms and it does not only affect those who are physically without another person. Reading this article really widened my perspective on real problems that happen in the world today. Every time I see the word “loneliness”, I think of it being equivalent to depression, because becoming lonely gets anyone sad.
My grandma has been alone ever since my grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Though they both bounce between living with my dad’s siblings and my family, they are both still alive and together. It is different because my grandma is facing adversity alone without my grandpa mentally being by her side. My grandpa has zero recollection who anyone is anymore and it truly breaks my heart knowing that he does not know who he is, his grandchildren are, his children are, and even his soul mate. When one is afflicted by loneliness, many times the only solution is to reflect and strengthen the bonds within themselves. I believe no one should ever go through this symptom, whether this affects a person for a short time or long time. I agree, that in this article it is evident that loneliness portrays in two different forms. There is a difference between living alone and being lonely. There are people in the world who chose not to truly live and accept being alone. Choosing this rather than making the most of the situation can lead to living a depressed, deprived lonely life.
As time flew by, my grandpa became harder and harder to take care of. My dad’s siblings decided to have a caretaker for him to help out my grandma at their house. Meanwhile my grandpa is being cared for constantly, sometimes I feel like the center of attention never shines around my grandma. Now, they both live with each family and though they are never physically alone, I still believe that my grandma and grandpa are still lonely. When my grandparents visit, my siblings, parents, and I take care of him instead. It truly saddens me to see him like this; not knowing my name and all the memories we shared in the past. When I was little, he used to read me a comic strip from Calvin and Hobbs, but now I am the one reading him it. Being at college seems difficult, but it is not. They live around here and I always try to go visit them when I can, but whenever I visit they are both are in separate rooms doing different things not together. To me, that is a very loneliness life when lovers no longer interact. My grandma is left alone with the knowledge that their strong love is slowly fading, and this fact genuinely breaks my heart.
I never at all really thought of loneliness as a social problem. I viewed it more as a misfortune that some people enjoyed and some didn’t. I definitely never thought about all of the mental and physical health issues that could be linked to loneliness. The numbers of people living by themselves is also astonishing.
I don’t know anyone currently that lives alone currently. The person in my family that lived alone that I was the closest to was my grandfather. He fell ill before he passed away this past year. My grandmother’s death 8 months earlier took a toll on his health I think. When he got sick or felt sad and I spoke with him on the phone he just said that he didn’t want to be here anymore and wanted to go be with my grandmother. Towards the end he was combatting 2 strokes and Alzheimer’s and I think he felt that he was mentally starting to slip and he lost the will to fight. My dad moved him to senior citizen development, but my grandfather being the quiet man that he was stayed to himself mostly, never went outside and looked forward to the days that my dad, uncle, or myself would visit. He was married for 57 years so losing his wife really devastated him.
As a society I think we can do a better job at noticing people that are living alone and not exclude them. I think that we could maybe organize a place where people living alone could move to an area with others that live alone. Cities and towns could maybe use these areas and host different social events there to try to reduce the number people living alone and increase the socialization that they get. However, acknowledging that this is a problem I think that trying to force people to socialize and not be alone is unrealistic. Maybe this could be possible in some Utopia but not in real life. Some of the people that are living alone make the conscious choice to be by themselves and I don’t think that an external body or organization should be able to get involved with that if they aren’t solicited for help. Many people embrace the solitude because they like the time they have for themselves. Maybe some people don’t want to deal with the responsibility of worrying about another person, and I don’t think anything is wrong with that. Although the numbers of those living alone are startling I don’t think that people should necessarily think that something is wrong with those people who live in solitude. Maybe observing people that are living alone we can grow to appreciate their autonomy and their ability to fight the natural inclination to seek community. As a society we should do our part individually to make ourselves available or at least able to help those that live alone especially seniors if they need help or socialization.
While I had never thought of loneliness as a social problem, I am not surprised that it affects millions of people. Research has condemned solitary confinement in prisons for its cruel and dehumanizing nature. While isolation is a punishment for some, it is a way of life for others. My grandma used to live alone and I remember always asking her when I was younger how she filled her days and if she ever felt bored or lonely. Now whenever I hear from a friend that one of their grandparents lives alone I worry for them. I wonder if they have any conversation at all some days, and what would happen if they fell or injured themselves.
I think that nursing homes and independent living communities are both good options for elderly citizens. They offer a support system, conversation, and care, while lessening the feelings of isolation one may experience otherwise. Cities and towns should ensure that such facilities are available and well maintained. They should also orchestrate community events like block parties and progressive dinners, where neighbors can socialize and get to know one another.
I feel that it is the duty of each city or town to provide for their citizens in need, especially the elderly community. Therefore, if this support is found to be lacking in an area I believe that it is up to the government to intervene. It is very upsetting to learn that millions of people feel isolated and spend their days alone, particularly when hearing of the physical and mental toll it can take on these individuals.
As many others have already stated, I too did not attribute “loneliness” as being a social problem. As the article states, this may be because this way of living has become commonplace that it goes without question or concern. It also may be as a result of our age and the thinking that we have time until we have to worry about this being a reality. The article opened my eyes to not only the prevalence of loneliness but also to the health problems correlated to loneliness. The idea of experiencing loneliness is scary enough to think of but also knowing that it is associated with other health concerns makes it more worrisome.
With it still being relatively early in the semester, my roommates and I are still trying to get an idea of each others schedules and who is going to be home at what time. We found that this semester we have schedules all over the place in which we each find ourselves at times being home alone. Personally, I do not mind spending some time by myself, especially if I have work to get done or if I am just watching my current obsession on Netflix. However, if I am free I would much rather be spending the time with my friends. This is why I find living alone when I am older to be intimidating. However, when thinking of the idea of loneliness, not only have I thought about in the sense of the elderly but also when finding a significant other. It’s an ongoing joke in my group of friends about if we come across a certain age and still have not found our significant other, then we have to do something to fill that void. For example, one of my friends says that if she reaches the age of 32-years old and is still not married, then she is going to adopt children so that she is not lonely. The problem of loneliness may be more prevalent in elders, but it still affects people of all ages.
I found it interesting when the article mentioned how loneliness can both negatively impact one’s physical and mental well-being. Being alone for an extended period of time can make a person go insane. Especially, if the person has no way of contacting other family members or friends. In terms of physical well-being, I know that people can get stuck in a routine, which does not allow for them to be physically active. In the case of my grandma, she cannot drive so she often spends her days at home. She is stuck to a routine, which limits her physical health because she is limited to such a small area. This idea relates to the idea of social isolation. However, I think that at one point or another elderly people come to realize their abilities and come to accept this way of life.
Before reading this article, I never saw loneliness as a serious issue; just as a feeling you get every one and a while when you’re sad or alone. The thought of loneliness being considered a mental health issue–especially with the elderly–is concerning to me because my 81 year old grandmother lives alone. She lives down in Florida and has friends and family visit regularly, but the thought of her being alone most of the time saddens me. I’ve never given this topic much thought, but after reading this article I am now much more aware of how much of a negative impact loneliness and isolation can have on a person.
My grandma has always been a very independent women and has been living on her own since I can remember. So, the thought of her moving into a retirement home is a crazy idea to me. I think ones happiness is the most important thing in life, so if an elderly person is put into a retirement home by their families, it would result in them feeling betrayed by their loved ones. This would result in them feeling lonely and isolated from others. So, I think the best thing to do in a situation like this is to listen to the elderly and help them in every way we can without taking away their independence. I think this would positively impact the issue of isolation and loneliness of the elderly.
Loneliness is something that many people have felt within their lifetime, but the extent to which it impacts all of us varies from person to person. Whether it be occasionally feeling lonely when all of your roommates are too busy to hang out, or the severe and long term isolationism many in the geriatric population face, we can agree that loneliness is not the ideal situation for most social beings.
The most profound piece of information from this topic for me is that loneliness can actually be correlated to a decline in cognitive function. Bullet points 2,6,7 and 8 all correspond to the physiological effects of isolation and how the brain can slowly and surely deteriorate. In my bio psych class, I learned about how neuronal pathways in the brain can be weakened significantly if there is no stimuli present to activate them. This can possibly be linked to loneliness because a lack of socialization and cognitive stimulation will surely leave its mark on the brain in the long term.
I can relate to this because my grandmother felt alone at the end of her life and her Alzheimers further perpetuated a lack of understanding of reality. She ended up living in a nursing home, which somewhat helped her because my family and I did not want her to consistently be living alone in an apartment on her own.
When hearing the word “loneliness” the first thing that comes to mind is the elderly. This article really opened my eyes to this social problem and how it affects a lot of people today. I think it can affect anyone at any point in their life, it has definitely hit me before, maybe not at the level it can get to social isolation but it does happen at times.
My grandma has lived alone for as long as I have been alive (18 years) and it truly breaks my heart. Loneliness is very serious and I believe no one should be alone. Her husband passed away in 1997 and since then she has stayed in the same home since my mom was a little girl. Stated in this article it shows how there is a difference between living alone and being lonely and I believe they are two different things. Some people chose to live alone and they are fine like that, however sometimes it is out of the person’s hands and they end up living a sad lonely life. As my grandma grew older she started to become weaker and needed an in house caretaker. Since that did not last very long she moved in with my family so she is closer to her family and being taken care of by a caretaker in my home. While she now lives with other people and not alone, I believe that she is still lonely. My mom goes out and runs errands during the day and is not always with her, and since she is growing older, 96 to be exact, she cannot really do much with her days. Being at college away from home is hard and I miss spending time with my grandma and family. When I call back at home and talk to my grandma I ask what she does during the day, she just says sit in her chair all day, watching tv, and sleeping. That to me is a very loneliness life of doing the same thing everyday and it truly saddens me.
I found this article to be very eye opening because I never really thought about “loneliness” as a social problem. It is not shocking to me that loneliness is such a prominent issue throughout the senior citizen population. However it was very saddening to learn about all the statistics on physical and mental problems that are associated with loneliness and seniors. I think that there should be more of a support system of some sort for elderly people that live alone. I feel as though as a society we forget about the needs of elderly people. Especially when they do not have any family or close friends to look after them or to just spend time with.
The only person that I know who lives alone is my best friend’s grandmother. She is about eighty-five years old and lives in an elderly apartment complex. It is about five minutes aways from my best friend’s home so her grandmother spends a lot of time at her house. She also has Alzheimer’s so it is crucial that she is looked after. On many instances of picking her grandmother up, she would tell us that she forgot her baby in her appartment. Aside from her Alzheimer’s I wonder if this has anything to do with her feeling lonely at times. I could not even imagine what she would be like if she did not have the support of her family.
After learning what I now know about loneliness I definitely have a new perspective on the importance of just simply having human interacting with one another. This reminds me of my high school health class. We watched the movie “Cast Away” and studied Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. I learned how important it is for our mental health and sanity to interact with other human beings.
Loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience during their lifetime. Isolation is a topic that not many people open up about and it is not that surprising to learn that the elderly are one of the loneliest demographics across the United States. Though communities and activities for seniors exist the overall well-being of senior citizens is often overlooked. The correlation between loneliness and several health issues is alarming. Old age combined with the effects of being alone proves to be a terrible combination for senior citizens.
It is interesting to see how individual well-being relies on something that many take for granted. Simply having relationships and social interactions with others greatly influences individual health and growth. Another interesting fact is how one person’s loneliness can affect someone else’s happiness. Loneliness is referred to as “contagious” and those who are around seniors that experience extreme cases of isolation tend to develop the same feelings. This can create a chain where there is a cycle of loneliness and isolation that is passed down. Therefore, it is vital to start paying more attention to senior well-being in order to prevent the augmentation of loneliness in society as a whole. It is also important to realize when others are lonely or isolating themselves to help. Helping can simply be recommending interactive activities to someone who needs it. It is also beneficial to volunteer in elderly communities and focus on providing accessibility to those who need it.
I know a family friend who lives alone. She is a senior, but lives in a senior housing community that often holds activities and events for the residents to get involved in. Everyone who lives in the community is fairly social. Despite being around various people there are times where she gets lonely living in her house by herself.