Seniors and Social Isolation: A Complex Issue 1

 Social isolation can be defined as less social contact than an individual wishes and that may lead to negative outcomes such as poor health loneliness or other emotional distress.

As the proportion of older people in the population increases and more life alone, the problem of social isolation among this age group is a growing concern (World Health Organization 2002). It is widely accepted that social support has a strong protective effect on health. The prevailing belief, as stated by the World Health Organization, is that social isolation and exclusion are associated with “increased rates of premature death, lower general well-being, more depression, and a higher level of disability from chronic diseases”. This is echoed by studies that show social isolation has predictors such as poor perceived health, a higher number of chronic illnesses and compromised mental health.

Seniors clearly value their social relationships as those 65 and over “consistently rank relationships with family and friends second only to health as the most important area of life”. Not all socially isolated seniors experience negative consequences, and some seniors may prefer to be alone and do not experience loneliness. This statement, found in the literature review “Social Isolation Among Seniors: An Emerging Issue, An Investigation by the Children’s, Women’s and Seniors Health Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Health, March 2004”, points out that social isolation is not a straightforward issue and those providing services cannot make easy assumptions about causes or relationships. The investigative review provides an in-depth look at seniors and isolation and is helpful for those who want a greater understanding of the prevalence of social isolation in older persons, its risk factors and the relationship between isolation and loneliness in seniors.

A research review of seniors, isolation, and best practices in service provision designed to address social isolation, support seniors' strengths, enhance social networks, remove barriers to social participation and foster social inclusion will have positive impacts on both the individual and society.

The researchers studied Canadian data to profile individual and social characteristics and situations that make seniors vulnerable to isolation. Their profile of seniors most likely to experience social exclusion indicated that they:

·        Are older

·        Live in urban areas

·        Have no partner

·        Have activity limitations due to health

·        Were born outside of Canada

·        Have lower levels of education

The investigation by the Children's, Women's and Senior's Health Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Health: Social Isolation Among Seniors: An Emerging Issue, supports the above and provides some further considerations about factors relating to social isolation and loneliness including:

·        Gender: women's tendency to outlive male partners and other family members and their role as caretakers place them at greater risk, however when studies controlled for the additive risk factors that disproportionately affect women, several studies found the opposite: that greater loneliness was expressed by men

·        Loss of a spouse or “intimate relationship” is a strong determinant of both loneliness and

·        Aging: several researchers have found loneliness to be a correlate of aging itself and that there was a gradual increase in loneliness until age 90 and then it levelled off

·        Transportation Issues: driving status and transportation have an effect on loneliness and social isolation of the elderly because they facilitate access to the social network.

These factors, while they help shine a light on seniors who are vulnerable to isolation, should not be considered as definitive causes. The authors cite a “chicken and egg” effect between isolation and the risk factors and emphasize that risk factor is just that – factors that may put someone at risk of loneliness or isolation.