Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Elderly People

Psychology

Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.............................................................................................................................................3
Description of the problem/issue including evidence that demonstrates its significance.........................3
Answerable question (e.g. in PICO format) that sets out to address the problem/issue...........................4
A thorough description of empirical studies that have addressed the problem/issue................................5
A critique of the evidence base provided by the studies described..........................................................6
A rationale, based on the strength of the evidence obtained, for recommending a particular
program/intervention to address the problem/issue..................................................................................7
A discussion of the potential difficulties in the implementation of the program/intervention in the ‘real-
world’ and associated implications for practice/further research.............................................................8
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Isolation and loneliness can impact the elderly people in a negative manner as it can pose
some serious health risks. This can include anxiety, alcoholism or smoking and these risks
should not be ignored. Isolation can be defined as the state which results from having very little
or no social relationships (Bandura, 2018). On the other hand, loneliness can be referred to as
having not enough contact with the people. Individuals who are aged 60 years and above and live
in care homes are observed to deal with loneliness and social isolation. The report provides a
clear description of this problem including evidence that demonstrates its significance. Ann
answer to address this problem is also included along with a critique of the evidence base which
is provided by the studies that have been described. Lastly, a discussion about the difficulties in
the implementation of interventions is also included in the report.
MAIN BODY
Description of the problem/issue including evidence that demonstrates its significance
Loneliness and social isolation within older adults is a serious public health risk which
affects number of people across the world. This is a condition or situation where old people are
putting life at risk as they are facing various health issues like dementia, Alzheimer, etc. It is
considered from statistics that one third of adults aging more than 45 are considered to be
socially isolated. There are older adults who are at increased risk because of loneliness and social
isolation because they are more likely to face various elements including loss of family, living
alone chronic illness are hearing loss. Loneliness is a feeling of being alone and not having a
plenty amount of social contact. this includes lack of social connections and leading to loneliness
in some people and feeling lonely without being socially isolated.
It is very hard for measuring social isolation and loneliness in a precise manner. There are
some evidences which show that adults ageing more than 50 years are likely to face and keep
themselves socially isolated needs to put their health at great risk (Forrester and Sullivan, 2018).
Social isolation significantly is increased among people and it has enhanced premature death
from all causes and risk which may main lead to rival of smoking obesity and physical inactivity.
Social isolation is associated with approximately more than 60% increase in risk of dementia
among old people. When old people have poor social relationships then it increases risk of heart