Social isolation can be defined as less social contact than an individual wish and that may lead to negative outcomes such as poor health loneliness or other emotional distress.
As the proportion of older people in the population
increases and more life alone, the problem of social isolation among this age
group is a growing concern (World Health Organization 2002). It is widely
accepted that social support has a strong protective effect on health. The
prevailing belief, as stated by the World Health Organization, is that social
isolation and exclusion are associated with “increased rates of premature
death, lower general well-being, more depression, and a higher level of
disability from chronic diseases”. This is echoed by studies that show social isolation
has predictors such as poor perceived health, a higher number of chronic
illnesses and compromised mental health.
Seniors clearly value their social relationships as those 65
and over “consistently rank relationships with family and friends second only
to health as the most important area of life”. Not all socially isolated
seniors experience negative consequences, and some seniors may prefer to be
alone and do not experience loneliness. This statement, found in the literature
review “Social Isolation Among Seniors: An Emerging Issue, An Investigation by
the Children’s, Women’s and Seniors Health Branch of the British Columbia
Ministry of Health, March 2004”, points out that social isolation is not a
straightforward issue and those providing services cannot make easy assumptions
about causes or relationships. The investigative review provides an in-depth look
at seniors and isolation and is helpful for those who want a greater
understanding of the prevalence of social isolation in older persons, its risk
factors and the relationship between isolation and loneliness in seniors.
A research review of seniors, isolation, and best practises
in service provision designed to address social isolation, supporting seniors'
strengths, enhancing social networks, removing barriers to social participation
and fostering social inclusion will have positive impacts for both the
individual and society.
The researchers studied Canadian data to profile individual
and social characteristics and situations that make seniors vulnerable to
isolation. Their profile of seniors most likely to experience social exclusion
indicated that they:
·
Are older
·
Live in urban areas
·
Have no partner
·
Have activity limitations due to health
·
Were born outside of Canada
·
Have lower levels of education
The investigation by the Children's, Women's and Senior's
Health Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Health: Social Isolation
Among Seniors: An Emerging Issue, supports the above and provides some further
considerations about factors relating to social isolation and loneliness including:
·
Gender: women's tendency to outlive male
partners and other family members and their role as caretakers place them at
greater risk, however when studies controlled for the additive risk factors
that disproportionately affect women, several studies found the opposite: that
greater loneliness was expressed by men
·
Loss of a spouse or “intimate relationship” is a
strong determinant of both loneliness and
·
Aging: several researchers have found loneliness
to be a correlate of aging itself and that there was a gradual increase in
loneliness until age 90 and then it levelled off
·
Transportation Issues: driving status and
transportation have an effect on loneliness and social isolation of the elderly
because they facilitate access to the social network.
These factors, while they help shine a light on seniors who
are vulnerable to isolation, should not be considered as definitive causes. The
authors cite a “chicken and egg” effect between isolation and the risk factors
and emphasize that risk factor is just that – factors that may put someone at risk
of loneliness or isolation.
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