What We Know
Isolation is the lack of social connection while loneliness is the feeling of being alone. One-third of adults admit to feeling lonely who are age 45 and older. Furthermore, many individuals age 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. Death of family and friends, living alone, chronic illness and hearing loss are factors that impact feeling lonely and social isolated. There is a 50% increased risk for developing dementia and other serious medical conditions when one is socially isolated [1]. Current conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic threaten these statistics to dramatically rise among all age groups.
How It Affects Our World
There can be physical and mental impacts associated with isolation and loneliness. These impacts include but are not limited to elevated blood pressure, sleep disturbances, depression, decreased functionality, vision deficits and higher risk of suicidal thoughts. Additionally, unhealthy life choices such as smoking, alcohol or substance use, lower physical activity, poor dietary choices and noncompliance with medical prescriptions can develop [2].
What We Can Do About It
At Finding The Light Project we will always highly recommend professional medical and mental health providers as the foundation of treatment. Beyond that, we are here to provide you with knowledge, theological reasoning and encouragement. We invite you to subscribe and explore how you can find light in the darkness. It’s time to find hope and happiness once again!
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 9-8-8
Resources
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (November, 2020). Loneliness and social isolation linked to serious health conditions. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Population Health.
[2] Hwang, T. J., Rabheru, K., Peisah, C., Reichman, W., & Ikeda, M. (2020). Loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. International psychogeriatrics, 32(10), 1217–1220. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610220000988