Dangers And Signs Of Loneliness in Elders

Most of us tend to think that only physical and mental ailments like Alzheimer’s disease, reduced mobility, stroke and heart disease are a cause of worry in elders; but it is best to know that loneliness is a also a silent killer that not only brings about serious health problems but also other devastating consequences.

Points worth considering about danger of loneliness in elders:

• A study reveals that limitation of age is the main cause of loneliness; every 1 out of 2 people that are socially excluded or lonely believe they are not of sound health, with social isolation being an important factor that impacts well-being.

• It is significant to understand that loneliness has not just emotional effects; clinical depression is more serious than just feeling low. It could be the foundation to more serious problems like drinking, inertia to exercise or do any physical activity and a poor diet; all this impacts the overall health of the lonely person.

• The emotional factors of loneliness in elders also give rise to other complications like the damage to the immune system that makes elders prone to infections. In addition social isolation or loneliness also affects the cardio-vascular system that increases ones risk to heart problems and the problems of the circulatory system. In addition the lack of social interaction also sets the stage for the onset of the most dreaded disease of Alzheimer’s.

• Yes it is true that loneliness if unchecked leads to not only a decrease in mental, emotional and physical health, but also cuts through the quality and length of life. This calls for urgent action even though the elder may be not too keen on the idea.

• You could look for signs of loneliness in elders by noting certain body language signs. Do not mistake a lowered head or slumped posture for old age; it could be an emotional sign of loneliness. You could also find your elder having tightly crossed legs and arms. Watch out for an elder that clings on to any opportunity for physical contact; he/she is lonely. 

• It would help to mitigate signs of loneliness in elders by observing if your elder is very talkative and is trying to make the full use of the opportunity to talk. This only indicates that he/she desperately need company that one is feeling deprived of.

• Be aware of spotting loneliness in the elders; look out if your elder loves to wear drab clothes that could mean a sign of self expression in the old also. An elder that dresses in dull clothes that merge into the background only conveys the strong message that he/she is not happy and is lonely of socially isolated.

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