As anyone age, they find maintaining an active and fulfilling social life quite challenging and, thus, feel isolated. The research on senior isolation reports that approximately half of people over 60 are at risk for social isolation, and around a third might experience loneliness later in life. 

These numbers are worrying as limited to no socialization can increase the risk of isolation and mental, cognitive, and cardiovascular ailments. But don't worry! Emphasizing socialization in elder care can help keep your older loved ones healthier and happier in the golden years of their life.

Read further to understand senior social isolation's health hazards and risk factors and the benefits of incorporating socialization in aged care.

What are the Health Hazards of Senior Isolation?

Avoiding socializing and the feeling of loneliness in elderly can affect nearly every aspect of older individuals' lives. In addition to negatively impacting mood and mental health, social isolation can lead to physical deterioration. 

Seniors with limited social lives are at a higher risk of suffering from these health hazards:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Hypertension
• Coronary artery disease
• Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia
• High blood pressure

Factors Increasing the Risk of Social Isolation for Elder Individuals

The following listed are some factors that increase the risk of social isolation in older individuals:

• Being over the age of 60
• Limited contact with family and friends
• Chronic health conditions
• Lack of resources

Common Signs of Social Isolation in Seniors

If you are worried about your elder loved ones' social and mental well-being, consider asking them the following questions:

• Do you feel you need companionship?
• Do you feel left out or isolated?
• Do you wish you had more friends or visitors?
• Would you want to connect with others?

Besides asking these questions, you can look for these signs of social isolation in your seniors:

• Withdrawal: Saying no to family or friends gatherings or avoiding calls or texts.
• Loss of appetite: Eating less or skipping meals because of lack of company or loneliness.
• Apathy: Showing a lack of interest or turning down the activities they used to love engaging in.
• Trouble performing daily tasks: Finding no interest in doing daily tasks and chores because they don't feel like themselves due to social isolation.

Exploring the Benefits of Socialization in Elder Care

The following benefits highlight the importance of social interaction in aged care:

• Prevents anxiety and depression 

Limited socialization for the elderly and mental illness goes hand in hand. Inactive social life and loneliness are often the contributing factors to anxiety and depression among senior individuals. 

Studies show that regular social activities can have mood-boosting effects on an individual's body, similar to exercise. 

Incorporating socialization into the elder care routine can allow your loved ones to share their experiences, feelings, joys, and challenges with others, providing a sense of emotional release. Therefore, by being a part of social networks, they can access emotional support and relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. 

• Reduces the risk of dementia

Another common mental health ailment for aged people is dementia. 

Although there is no definitive way to prevent dementia, socializing with family or friends might keep it at bay for seniors. Engaging in social activities and mind games like puzzles can help older individuals keep their brains engaged, improve their cognitive function, and, thus, reduce the risk of dementia.

• Increased sense of belonging

Many older people crave a sense of belonging in the latter half of their lives. Having a sense of belonging can help life feel meaningful for your older loved ones. 

Creating a social community for seniors can help them feel they are a part of something bigger and meaningful than themselves. It cultivates a sense of belonging in older people and improves their physical and mental well-being.

• Promotes purposeful living

As people grow older, they stop earning and, thus, feel like their life has no purpose.

When your older family members have somewhere to go, people to see, or something important to do, it will help them feel that their lives have a purpose. A happening social life can help get them up in the morning with excitement, and they will be curious to know what lies ahead of the day.

Therefore, your seniors' strong connections with others will create meaning in their lives, giving them a sense of fulfilment.

• Improved cognitive function

Many studies report that socialization can positively affect cognitive function and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Therefore, encouraging your elder loved ones to engage in social activities, conversations, outings, and games can stimulate their mind, enhancing their memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

Moreover, senior care settings that promote social engagement can create an environment that fosters mental stimulation, improving elderlies' cognitive well-being.

• Enhances physical health 

Believe it or not, emphasizing social interaction in aged care can also have physical health benefits for older adults. Engaging in social activities often requires physical movements and, thus, encourages your older loved ones to stay physically active. 

Whether going for swimming sessions, walks with friends, or yoga classes, socialization can improve mobility, vitality, and overall physical health. 

Wrapping up!

Over time, aged people naturally tend to get less active by settling into inactive routines. For instance, many older people find watching TV alone easier than going out with family. Such seniors start feeling more isolated and depressed and might contract cardiovascular or cognitive ailments. 

Incorporating socialization into the elder care routine can make adults more proactive and happier, improving their mental, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being.