Social Isolation

Social Isolation
Social isolation is the lack of meaningful contact or interaction with other people. It can result from factors such as:

• Loss of spouse, friends or relatives due to death, divorce or relocation
• Decreased mobility or transportation due to physical limitations or lack of access
• Decreased hearing or vision due to sensory impairments
• Decreased communication skills due to cognitive impairments or language barriers
• Decreased social skills due to depression, anxiety or personality changes

Social isolation can have adverse effects on the older adult’s physical and mental health such as:

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, infection, dementia or mortality
• Decreased immune function, wound healing and pain tolerance
• Decreased cognitive function, memory and learning ability
• Decreased self-esteem, self-efficacy and coping skills
• Increased depression, anxiety, loneliness and suicidal ideation

Social isolation can be prevented or reduced by providing interventions such as:

• Assessing the older adult’s social network, support system and preferences
• Encouraging the older adult to maintain contact with family, friends and neighbors
• Facilitating the older adult’s participation in community activities or events that match their interests, abilities and values
• Providing assistive devices or adaptive equipment to enhance hearing, vision or mobility
• Providing transportation or escort services to enable access to social venues
• Referring the older adult to social services or agencies that offer companionship, respite or home care