Elderly Loneliness
The statistics of isolation
Before the pandemic, 1 in 4 people older than 65 experienced social isolation, putting them at greater risk of loneliness. This is seen throughout the world at the moment. The exact number of seniors who feel lonely is difficult to pinpoint, but one study surveyed adults over 60 and found 43% of respondents felt lonely.
These feelings of loneliness were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A poll was taken and found that 56% of adults 50 to 80 reported feelings of isolation in June 2020. This has skyrocketed from 2018, when 27% of respondents reported feelings of isolation.
Risk factors
Loneliness can affect anyone at any time and is often a response to a range of personal events and factors. But isolation is a key factor, not being able to see family and friends. Being able to travel and go about daily routines.
Health consequences
Loneliness has even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as much as 15 years.
Unlike mental health disorders such as depression, loneliness often isn’t diagnosed. However, it still can promote negative cognitive and physical health effects. Chronic loneliness can affect how people trust others — and, for lonely individuals, trying to engage socially can lead to…
