Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Adults

Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Adults

My later-life psychosocial well-being topic is “Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Adults.” Understanding the psychosocial dimensions of aging is vital for increasing well-being in the world’s aging population. Social isolation and loneliness can have serious repercussions on older individuals’ mental and emotional health. Loneliness is the subjective experience of being alone and without social ties, while social isolation is the objective lack of social engagement. Both of these factors are common in the elderly, especially after retirement, losing a spouse or friends, and physical health issues (Fakoya et al., 2020). This topic is essential for several reasons. First, loneliness and social isolation can cause sadness, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and death. Thus, addressing these concerns can greatly improve older adults’ psychosocial well-being. Second, knowing the causes and risk factors of loneliness and social isolation can improve therapies and support systems.

I will analyze the causes of loneliness and social isolation in older persons, their psychosocial well-being, and possible interventions and community-based programs to address this topic. I wish to illuminate these issues to help establish strategies and policies to improve the quality of life for the aging population.

References

Fakoya, O. A., McCorry, N. K., & Donnelly, M. (2020). Loneliness and social isolation interventions for older adults: a scoping review of reviews. BMC Public Health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8251-6