Loneliness and Aging: How to Stay Connected

Our culture is steeped in images of solitary older adults who never leave the house, but loneliness and social isolation shouldn’t be accepted as a part of the natural order of aging. In fact, loneliness and aging can be a devastating health risk if left unchecked.

Here’s what you should know about the effects of loneliness and your well-being and how technology can make a real difference in keeping older adults from becoming too isolated as they age.

Who Suffers from Loneliness?

Anyone can suffer from loneliness, even if they live and work with other people. However, adults over the age of 50 are more likely to experience social isolation if they have these risk factors:

• Living alone
• Chronic illness
• Sensory impairment
• Loss of friends and loved ones

Not everyone who lives alone is lonely. Only 25% of adults over the age of 65 are considered to be socially isolated. Many adults feel lonely after retiring, because they lose connections to their second “work family” of colleagues. Stepping away from paid employment can also lead to a loss of identity and the feeling you no longer have a place in the world. For women over 50, there’s also the onset of Invisible Woman Syndrome, a form of ageism that leaves many women wondering if they matter in society.

Loneliness, Social Isolation and Health

No matter what the cause, social isolation and loneliness has serious adverse health effects for older adults. According to the CDC, loneliness significantly increases the risk for:

• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Depression
• Heart disease
• Premature death
• Stroke
• Suicide

If someone is already sick, loneliness compounds the issue. The CDC points out lonely heart failure patients suffered increased risk of emergency room visits, hospitalization and death compared to patients who were not socially isolated.

The Benefits of Community and Technology

Technology and community and help alleviate loneliness for many older adults. Fellowship Connected Living powered by Livindi offers an easy-to-use technology platform designed to keep older adults healthier and more connected.  .

For families, there’s a digital app that makes video calls a breeze. Instead of solo meals, you can schedule family times to share your meal on a group video call. For family and friends  who live far away, it’s a great way to share daily thoughts and activities that build strong bonds.

Additional features focus on improving health outcomes through connection. The Personal Health Navigator works with you to schedule medical appointments and arrange transportation if needed a big boost for anyone living alone and needing assistance to keep up with their medical needs. There are also telehealth options for staying connected to providers, which helps doctors keep patients compliant with their recovery instructions and out of hospital.

Fellowship Connected Living offers numerous benefits for anyone who wants to be more connected to family, friends and their medical providers. It’s the technology you need to make sure loneliness doesn’t become your new normal. Ready to join the Fellowship Connected Living community? Call us at 908-580-3869 to learn more.