The what, when, why and how of social isolation and aging in place
What is aging in place? “Aging in place is a term used to describe the act of living in the residence of your choice as you age while obtaining the necessary supports and services in response to your changing personal needs.” (Source: AgeInPlacePros.com) Aging in place literally means staying in your home as long as you can. While we all seem to think that this is what we would naturally want, there can be serious naysayers about choosing this option.
One of these detractors is social isolation and it is also one that aging-in-place experts take very seriously when discussing the option of staying at home as they age. Social isolation can develop when continuing to live at home causes a lack of communication with others. This results in the older adult feeling alone due to the loss of contact or companionship, as well as a lack of close and genuine communication with others. It can also be the self-perception of being alone even when one is in the company of other people.
Twenty-eight percent of Americans over the age of 65 live alone, so this is an issue for everyone considering staying in their home as they age. (Source: Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging, Research Review, March 2007)
The causes of social isolation are many. Retirement, the death of a spouse or partner, health problems, and even reduced income can create situations where one is cut off from social contacts. The key here, however, is how we choose to respond to these changes, and our responses can make a difference in creating a positive or negative outcome.
It doesn’t matter if we retire, have health problems, experience the loss of a loved one or even have to learn with less income and unless we live in a residence that offers activities and transportation, having the ability to connect with others. it is crucial to avoid any kind of isolation. Making sure we have transportation that allows us to make these connections is also crucial.
Take seriously the statement, “Social integrationthe opposite of social isolation, it has been found to be generally beneficial for health from adulthood to old age.” (Source: Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging, Research Review, March 2007).
What is social integration? It is participation in a wide range of relationships and activities. While it may seem like her grandma isn’t doing anything but playing bingo, she’s actually making valuable social connections that will help her stay mentally (and physically) healthy in the long run. She talks with others about herself, her community, her family, and other things that are important to her and the people she talks about her with so they will listen.
Older adults who volunteer their time, actively participate in family experiences, and make new and retain old friendships are much less likely to experience depression, develop health problems, and are more likely to practice good mental and physical health habits because of the interaction with others.
Being able to get to where social interactions occur, whether it’s church, bingo, or a birthday party, is something I ask everyone who is considering staying at home as they age to think ahead. I also ask them what they think they can’t live without. Transportation is often the key to retaining what is of vital importance to them. If, for example, your health or eyesight prevents you from driving, you’ll need the availability of public or private transportation (or a few good friends!) to ensure you get where you want to go. Avoiding social isolation should be at the top of everyone’s “important things to consider” list when planning ahead to age in place.