“Your mother is experiencing Social Isolation,” said the health care professional at Mom’s assisted living facility. I had no idea what that really meant, but it certainly didn’t sound good.
She continued, “Social Isolation is when an individual lacks a sense of belonging socially, lacks engagement with others, and has minimal contact with others”.
How can that be? We’ve moved her into a beautiful facility where she is well cared for. The food is great and there are numerous activities involving other residents and staff. How can she feel isolated? I was confused…
While certainly not limited to seniors, Social Isolation can occur when a person has moved to a new living environment where they have to adjust to new routines, surroundings, and people. In these situations where life has changed, the contact and communication with family and friends are not what it may have been.
There are no easy answers, but recognition of the situation and an understanding of the causes are a good first step. Finding ways to keep family engaged is a major influencer. Visits, phone calls, letters, and pictures are positive steps. The right technology can even play a role in easing the challenge of dispersed families. By staying connected to family and friends and sharing life experiences, loved ones have a sense of purpose and are able to stay engaged.
For more ideas on avoiding Social Isolation in seniors, see “14 Ways to Help Seniors Avoid Social Isolation”.