Feeling alone is no fun... Human beings are social creatures and close relationships are what help us survive and thrive. Our connections with others help us become stronger and fight angst, depression, or anxiety.
Unfortunately, as we age, many of us feel even more alone than when we were younger. Feeling alone leaves us vulnerable to social isolation and chronic loneliness, but also to other related health problems, such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. Luckily, there are ways to fight loneliness for people living in senior home care in Clearwater Tampa.
Social isolation and loneliness are two conditions that are currently studied by the National Institute on Aging. Loneliness and social isolation are different, but they cause similar negative effects on senior citizens.
Statistically, about 28 percent of senior adults in the United States (or 14 million people) live alone, according to a report published by the Administration for Community Living's Administration on Aging. However, a large chunk of these seniors is not considered socially isolated or lonely. Also, some seniors may feel lonely even though they live together with family and friends. The impact of loneliness is also studied in senior citizen assistance health care in Tampa.
The National Institute on Aging is focused on studying the differences between social isolation and loneliness and how they affect senior citizens.
The health effects of social isolation and loneliness
Both social isolation and loneliness have been linked to a variety of health conditions, like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, a weakened immune system, anxiety, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease. Seniors who find themselves unexpectedly alone due to the death of a partner or spouse, separation from family or friends, loss of mobility, lack of transportation, or retirement are at particular risk. On the other hand, seniors who regularly engage in productive activities are living longer, have better moods and a sense of purpose. These activities are often provided for seniors living in senior home care in Clearwater Tampa. Seniors are encouraged and helped to fight loneliness in senior citizen assistance health care in Tampa.
Loneliness research – an in-depth look
The vast majority of information we have about the causes and effects of loneliness and social isolation comes from the research done by John T. Cacioppo, Ph. D., who was the former director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago.
His research found that loneliness is directly correlated to the feeling of being alone. According to Dr. Cacioppo, loneliness is defined as the subjective distressed feeling of being alone or separated, while social isolation is the objective physical separation from other people. Because of this, seniors can feel lonely while living together with other people, but they can also feel alone but not lonely.
The medical and social effects caused by chronic loneliness are very real and they must be addressed. We are a social species and are accountable to help lonely individuals, the same way we would treat ourselves. Essentially, treating loneliness is our collective responsibility.
Research in this field is still active. Understanding the mechanisms behind chronic loneliness and its role in various medical conditions is very important. Researchers are currently studying how loneliness automatically triggers a set of biological and behavioral processes that lead to premature death in people of all ages. The research is done in multiple centers across the country and in centers for senior citizen assistance health care in Tampa.
The biology of loneliness
Loneliness, especially long-term loneliness, changes a person's perception of the environment. For instance, seniors affected by loneliness often feel threatened or mistrustful of others, which suggests that there may be a biological defense mechanism designed to protect vulnerable people.
Various studies have shown that loneliness can alter the tendency of cells in the immune system to promote inflammation. This is crucial to help our bodies heal from injury. Inflammation that lasts too long may increase the risk of various chronic diseases. Simply put, loneliness acts as a catalyst or as a fertilizer for other diseases.
For instance, loneliness can accelerate the buildup of plaque in arteries, can make cancer cells develop uncontrollably, but it can also promote brain inflammation for Alzheimer's disease patients. People who are chronically lonely may have weakened immune cells, so fighting infections is more difficult for these individuals.
To counter the negative effects of loneliness must be addressed before it overwhelms the senior citizen. Having a mission or purpose in life helps seniors fight loneliness and regain healthy immunity. Helping others, volunteering, and caregiving can be amazing ways to fight loneliness among seniors. Similarly, regular group activities can stop the feeling of loneliness. These activities are provided for seniors living in senior home care in Clearwater Tampa.
The genetic and social determinants of loneliness
Research is currently done on how the interactions between genes and the environment can cause social isolation and loneliness. Previous studies have shown that loneliness can be heritable. Data suggests that 37 to 55 percent of twins inherit loneliness from other family members. Some individuals are prone to feeling lonely or to suffer from social isolation. Similarly, other people tend to feel lonely even though they have rich social lives and are constantly surrounded by family and friends.
According to data gathered from twin studies, both loneliness and social isolation are independent risk factors. Similarly, genetic risk for loneliness can significantly predict the presence of metabolic traits, psychiatric (such as major depressive disorders), and cardiovascular conditions. Apparently, our family history does not strongly influence this.
Another area of research is the role of social determinants on senior health. The role of interpersonal and social processes in aging and longevity are also important to understand. Future research will likely focus on the extent to which social isolation and loneliness are malleable and how can they be changed via therapy.
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