Coping with Social Isolation

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Consider loneliness in any isolated person, especially the house-bound. Possible signs of loneliness include:

  • Verbal outpouring
  • Prolonged holding of your hand or arm
  • Body language: defeated demeanour, tightly crossed arms and legs
  • Drab clothing

Differential diagnosis

Lonely people who are reluctant to go out may be troubled by depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, deafness or urinary incontinence.

Management

A review found that educational and social activity group interventions that target specific groups of people can alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older people. The effectiveness of home visiting and befriending schemes was unclear.

Wherever possible, lonely people should be offered opportunities to reach out to others so that they retain active involvement in the pattern of their own lives, rather than sitting passively waiting for the doorbell to ring. Lonely people may need encouragement and guidance on how to be creative and how to have a positive approach to meeting others.

  • Be nice to people, and take trouble to find out their hopes and fears.
  • Local support groups
  • What facilities already exist (eg local pub, day centre or lunch club)? It does not matter initially whether they get anything out of a social interaction as they may meet someone of like mind, so enabling these artificial crutches to be thrown away.
  • As well as receiving visitors and telephone calls and going on outings, lonely old people may be helped by becoming pet owners.
  • Alternative therapies, eg massage and aromatherapy, can relieve loneliness.
  • Befriending schemes can be very helpful to those who are house-bound. They can be contacted through the local groups or community care schemes linked to the area office of the social services department.
  • One way that house-bound people can feel useful is through offering telephone support to others who are isolated, such as carers or other older house-bound people. Another useful activity is letter writing, perhaps for a worthy cause (such as Amnesty International) or corresponding with a pen pal.
  • Technology forums such as the Internet may provide relief from boredom and loneliness.
  • Getting a telephone: not only gives the reassurance of being able to request help in an emergency, but also allows the opportunity to chat to friends and family. Some local authorities offer financial help with installation costs.

Community activities for all ages

Older people do not necessarily want to spend their time exclusively with other older people. There are many activities in which they can join with people of other ages:

  • Adult education classes, eg painting, creative writing. A good but often expensive way to meet like-minded people. The acquisition of new skills improves confidence and social interaction becomes more pleasurable.
  • Join a book club.
  • Involvement in community action, eg membership of Good Neighbour schemes (which visit housebound people), local history groups, sporting activities, eg bowling.
  • Membership of local social groups
  • Participation in locally organised outings, either to the countryside or to the theatre or cinema.
  • Details of local community activities can be obtained from the local Council for Voluntary Service, from the local library or the social services area office.
  • Go to the library! And study or read the books there. Search your favourites.

Activities with other older people

  • The University of the Third Ageoffers locally run courses (not necessarily academic). No qualifications are needed, no diplomas are awarded and many of the teachers are retired people.
  • Smaller gatherings of three or four people who share an interest (eg gardening, sport, art study) who are invited into the home of a younger person for coffee or afternoon tea.
  • Luncheon clubs are run both by voluntary organisations and by the social services department of local authorities; they offer social activity as well as a hot meal.
  • Reminiscence and local history groups can be very stimulating if they are well and sensitively run.
  • Holidays for older people.

Housing provision and loneliness

  • Suitable housing can play a significant part in alleviating loneliness.
  • There is a range of provisions which can help: central alarm systems, contact with a warden, well designed resident-friendly buildings, and care and repair schemes.

Complications

  • Alcoholism and depression may be exacerbated through lack of company.
  • Potential suicide risk.
  • Lonely and isolated old people are at risk of nutritional problems.


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