Addressing Loneliness and Isolation in Elderly: A Psychology Report

This report delves into the significant issue of loneliness and social isolation among the elderly, highlighting its detrimental impact on their health and well-being. It defines the problem, providing evidence of its prevalence and the associated health risks, such as increased rates of dementia, heart disease, and premature death. The report explores answerable questions using a PICO format, suggesting interventions like community activities and exercise programs to combat these issues. It reviews empirical studies that have addressed the problem, critiquing the evidence base and offering a rationale for recommending specific programs. The report also discusses the practical challenges of implementing these interventions and implications for future research, emphasizing the importance of social connections and mental health for the elderly population. It emphasizes the need to differentiate between social isolation and loneliness, promoting healthy living and well-being through effective social relations.

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

disease up to 40%. Loneliness among heart failure patients is seen 4 times increased risk among
people who are isolated. There are few people who generally are socially isolated at old age and
this increases high quality social relationships and help them live longer and healthier lives.
There are adults more than 50 years old for interacting with the healthcare system in one
way or the other. People without social connections are considered to have more health risk than
the people who have good social relations. As human beings are social animals and it is very
important for them to have psychological come a biological and social systems which will help
in evolving collaborative people network. There is impact of isolation and loneliness on health
and mortality of old people (Hall, 2017). There are several health risk factors like obesity high
blood pressure smoking, etc. which are commonly found among old people and they have to you
take more precautions.
For adult people it is more important to manage the addressing of social isolation and
loneliness in order to improve the health outcomes. Their families, communities, tribes which
enable us to you survive as well as thrive. It is important to manage you distinguish between
social isolation and loneliness as these both have to be maintained properly for living healthy
life. There is need to manage the healthy life at adult age as there are more chances of risk at this
age. Old people when have a good social relationship are able to avoid major health conditions.
This is considered that adult people must ensure heathy living and well-being by maintaining
good and effective social relation.
Answerable question (e.g. in PICO format) that sets out to address the problem/issue
Elderly people who deal with social isolation and loneliness, do not have a lot of people
to talk to or connect with (Levitt and et. al., 2017). There are a lot of elderly people, belonging to
the age groups over 60 years of age and live in care homes of Australia. There are different ways
in which this problem can be addressed like older people should be provided with greater social
opportunities so that they get a change to interact with other people and get to know them. This
is important because older people usually do not have anyone whom they can interact with and
share their thoughts. They should be given an opportunity to get involved and participate in the
different community activities.
A lot of studies have been conducted which show that a social isolation as well as
loneliness can lead to creating a lot of risks for the old people. These risks are not only related to

their physical health, but create mental pressure, anxiety and depression as well. Some
interventions to address this problem can include gardening programs in order to increase
socialization as well as their satisfaction with life. Different types of hobbies like knitting,
singing etc. should be encouraged. If they can’t drive, they can be taken out for a drive or a
picnic once in a month. This will not only change their mood but also help them overcome
loneliness. Also, there should not be any comparison between two people.
This will help them in overcoming any such situation and developing new friendships
wherein they will be able to interact with new people (Shaw and Bransford, 2017). Activities that
the older people enjoy being a part of, should be organized in the care homes from time to time
so as to keep them engaged and happy. Exercise programs can also be conducted in order to help
them interact, socialize as well as maintain their health. Apart from this, other interventions that
can be used in order to address this problem can include improving their social conditions and
ensuring that the rooms where they live, have proper air ventilation and receive adequate
sunlight. Therefore, these interventions can help the older people in becoming more social.
A thorough description of empirical studies that have addressed the problem/issue
It is important for human beings to socialize and keep interacting with other people in
order to survive. But as they grow old, some of them go on isolating themselves due to which
they start feeling lonely. Constant social isolation and loneliness can lead them feeling
vulnerable as well as other health problems like depression, heart disease etc. A lot of studies
have been conducted in order to address the respective problem. The results of these stories
reveal that there are some older people who feel isolated and lonely despite having a lot of
people around them like friends and family. With social isolation, there can be a weakened
immune system, loss of mobility, cognitive decline etc. If a person is lonely and keeps
himself/herself socially isolated all the time, they start losing a sense of connection as well as the
community. It has been found that people who are lonely and isolate themselves from interacting
with other people, have immune cells that are weak.
Social isolation can cause the unhealthy habits of old people like smoking and alcoholism
to increase (Yarkoni and Westfall, 2017). Whereas some sort of social interaction and support
can encourage them to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle. There are different reasons that can
be pointed out in order to address the question why more seniors are aging alone, all by

themselves. Some of the reasons can include that the family as well as neighborhood dynamics
have changed and sometimes seniors feel that they are being left behind. Therefore, it is
important to adopt effective strategies and implement them in such a way that the level of
loneliness as well as social isolation among the elderly decreases. This will further lead to them
leading a happy life and building new friendships. As per the view point of Verena Menec, older
adults who are lonely are at a high risk of dying early which is a serious issue (Loneliness and
social isolation are important health risks in the elderly, 2020). One of the other reasons why
elder people might feel socially isolated to lonely includes major life events etc.
A critique of the evidence base provided by the studies described
Through the above study it can be critically describe that loneliness as well as social
isolation in older adults are very serious health issues as it impacting on the numbers of people
around the world. It also putting older people at the risk of dementia as well as other serious
medical conditions. There are several risks related to the social isolation among the older people
such as it expanded an individual's danger of unexpected passing from all causes, a danger that
may match those of smoking, stoutness, and physical inertia (Beller and Wagner, 2018). In
addition to this, social disconnection was related with about a half percent expanded danger of
dementia as well as poor or ineffective social connections (portrayed by social isolation or
depression) was related with a 29 percent expanded danger of coronary illness and a 32 percent
expanded danger of stroke. Moreover, loneliness was related with higher paces of gloom,
nervousness, and self-destruction and loneliness among cardiovascular breakdown patients was
related with an almost multiple times expanded danger of death, 68 percent expanded danger of
hospitalization, and 57 percent expanded danger of crisis division visits. According to the
research there are several health-related issues which are experienced by a person at the older
age such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s disease,
cognitive decline, weak immune system and many other. At older age people generally feel
isolated because their dear one gets separated from them due to several reasons such as making
career, avoiding responsibilities and many others. Some of time it will leads to situation when
older people want to lose their life because they feel there is no one who wants to talk or leave
with them. According to the evaluation it is determined that social isolation as well as loneliness
are the two independent procedure which affecting a person’s health different. Moreover,

loneliness mainly provides a pathway for the social isolation in order to impact on older people
health.
Through the above study it can be critically describe that loneliness as well as social isolation in
older adults are very serious health issues as it impacting on the numbers of people around the
world. It also putting older people at the risk of dementia as well as other serious medical
conditions. There are several risks related to the social isolation among the older people such as
it expanded an individual's danger of unexpected passing from all causes, a danger that may
match those of smoking, stoutness, and physical inertia (Beller and Wagner, 2018). In addition to
this, social disconnection was related with about a half percent expanded danger of dementia as
well as poor or ineffective social connections (portrayed by social isolation or depression) was
related with a 29 percent expanded danger of coronary illness and a 32 percent expanded danger
of stroke. Moreover, loneliness was related with higher paces of gloom, nervousness, and self-
destruction and loneliness among cardiovascular breakdown patients was related with an almost
multiple times expanded danger of death, 68 percent expanded danger of hospitalization, and 57
percent expanded danger of crisis division visits. According to the research there are several
health-related issues which are experienced by a person at the older age such as high blood
pressure, heart disease, obesity, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline,
weak immune system and many other. At older age people generally feel isolated because their
dear one gets separated from them due to several reasons such as making career, avoiding
responsibilities and many others. Some of time it will leads to situation when older people want
to lose their life because they feel there is no one who wants to talk or leave with them.
According to the evaluation it is determined that social isolation as well as loneliness are the two
independent procedure which affecting a person’s health different. Moreover, loneliness mainly
provides a pathway for the social isolation in order to impact on older people health.
A rationale, based on the strength of the evidence obtained, for recommending a particular
program/intervention to address the problem/issue
There are several recommendations which can be adopted by an old age person in order
to avoid social isolation and leave their life effectively (Berg-Weger and Morley, 2020). Some of
them are developed by government as well as some recommendations are like suggestion which
a person implement. From which several recommendations are mentioned below -

 Area agencies on aging external icon (AAA) – it is a network of more than 620
companies across the America which provide information as well as assistance with
different programs including meal and nutrition programs, caregiver support, counseling,
home delivery, arrangement of group meals and so on to older people. Through this a
person feel motivated and try to communicate with others (Holt-Lunstad and Smith,
2016). Through the website a person can fine local AAA which provides them different
facilities like self-management and so on. By adopting or get engaging in AAA old age
people feel encourage, socialite as well as it also helps in motivating them to leave their
life happily.
 Join local club – In respect of this old age people may join clubs of their local area as that
will help them in feeling motivated as well as encourage. This will also lead to breaking
of social isolation which also impacting on their mental as well as physical health.
Joining clubs mainly help in engraining old age people in different activities or programs
so that they not feel loneness.
 Eldercare locator external icon – It is mainly a free national service which mainly help
senior citizens in finding local resources such as care giving services, financial support,
transportation and many more. In addition to this, it also includes brochure which reflect
how volunteering can aid keep a person socially connected. Through this elder age people
can assign a care taker if they feel loneliness at their home. It is so because that will help
them in feeling someone presence in home which help in avoiding feeling of loneliness
effectively.
 Develop communication – In respect of this recommendation it is essential for health care
centers to develop as well as maintain proper communication with the old age people
(Schultz and Schultz, 2020). In respect of this they must conduct call to them every
month at least two times in order to ensure they are leaving happily as well as they also
need to ensure that these people are not feel loneliness.
 AARPexternal icon – The respective community provide helpful or essential information
to the senior people in order to help them in improving their quality of life as well as they
also provide access to the community connection tools so that these people leave happily.

A discussion of the potential difficulties in the implementation of the program/intervention in the
‘real-world’ and associated implications for practice/further research
The above-mentioned plans are effective for the senior citizen or old age people because
through that they feel motivated and able to avoid feeling of loneliness. But while implementing
these plans communities as well as government go through several issues or limitations due to
which they not able to implement these strategies or programs for the old age people. These
issues are like nature and behavior of old age people, it is seen that when people get old, they get
irritate easily so when the community center or health care center staffs call them to ensure their
health situation, they get frustrated (Valtorta and et.al., 2016). Another major issue is related to
finance because old age people have limited source of finance due to which they not able to
attain or join clubs as well as assign any assistant for taking care. In addition to this sometime
provide support to old age people is not like by their family members due to which they neglect
the services as well as they also not allow senior citizens to visit clubs and so on. these are some
of the most common issues which are experienced by people or community who want to help old
age people in order to fight their loneliness and social isolation feeling.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that loneliness and social isolation are major
issues that older people, in the age groups above 60 years of age. They can cause a lot of
physical as well as mental health issues like anxiety, depression etc. One of the major reasons
behind loneliness and social isolation among elder people living in Australia is that a significant
percentage of people live in nuclear families and leave their parents to a care home. Due to this,
it becomes important to take into account different types of cognitive-behavioral oriented
interventions in order to address this issue in an appropriate manner. These interventions can
lead to making the older people happy and having someone to talk to when they feel alone or
socially isolated.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Bandura, A., 2018. Toward a psychology of human agency: Pathways and reflections.
Perspectives on Psychological Science. 13(2). pp.130-136.
Beller, J. and Wagner, A., 2018. Loneliness, social isolation, their synergistic interaction, and
mortality. Health Psychology. 37(9). p.808.
Berg-Weger, M. and Morley, J. E., 2020. Loneliness and social isolation in older adults during
the Covid-19 pandemic: Implications for gerontological social work.
Forrester, M. A. and Sullivan, C. eds., 2018. Doing qualitative research in psychology: A
practical guide. SAGE Publications Limited.
Hall, G. C. N., 2017. Multicultural psychology. Routledge.
Holt-Lunstad, J. and Smith, T. B., 2016. Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for CVD:
implications for evidence-based patient care and scientific inquiry.
Levitt, H. M. and et. al., 2017. Recommendations for designing and reviewing qualitative
research in psychology: Promoting methodological integrity. Qualitative psychology.
4(1). p.2.
Schultz, D. P. and Schultz, S. E., 2020. Psychology and work today. Routledge.
Shaw, R. and Bransford, J. eds., 2017. Perceiving, acting and knowing: Toward an ecological
psychology (Vol. 27). Routledge.
Valtorta, N. K. and et.al., 2016. Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart
disease and stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational
studies. Heart. 102(13). pp.1009-1016.
Yarkoni, T. and Westfall, J., 2017. Choosing prediction over explanation in psychology: Lessons
from machine learning. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 12(6). pp.1100-1122.
Online
Loneliness and social isolation are important health risks in the elderly. 2020. [Online].
Available through:<https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/professionals-
blog/2016/04/08/loneliness-and-social-isolation-are-important-health-risks-in-the-
elderly>.