Social Isolation in Seniors at An All-Time High

America, and many other countries around the world, are suffering from a pandemic that has nothing to do with viruses, though the recent COVID-19 outbreak has brought the issue to an all-time high.  The Health Risks of Social Isolation in Seniors  Isolation isn’t just a lonely place to be, it can actually cause serious health complications that can even lead to death—especially in the senior population. Those who feel isolated and lonely have a higher risk for a wide range of mental and physical issues that range from the cardiovascular to mental problems.  Just a few of the conditions that…READ MORE: https://northdenvernews.com/social-isolation-in-seniors-at-an-all-time-high/
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America, and many other countries around the world, are suffering from a pandemic that has nothing to do with viruses, though the recent COVID-19 outbreak has brought the issue to an all-time high.  The Health Risks of Social Isolation in Seniors  Isolation isn’t just a lonely place to be, it can actually cause serious health complications that can even lead to death—especially in the senior population. Those who feel isolated and lonely have a higher risk for a wide range of mental and physical issues that range from the cardiovascular to mental problems.  Just a few of the conditions that loneliness can increase the risk of include the following:  Heart disease  High blood pressure  Stroke  Poor immune system  Anxiety  Depression  Alzheimer’s  Any of these conditions can result in death, which is why it is so crucial to build larger support systems both within personal circles and within the community at large. It can hit the retiree community the hardest, as one of the most devastating events that cause this isolation is the loss of a partner.  Even without that loss, transportation issues, lack of friends available, and even a loss of mobility can all increase isolation amongst the older generations.  To truly highlight the dangers of isolation, it’s important to look at the positive benefits seen in those who enjoy healthy relationships and feel fulfilled in their lives. People who have reached this state live longer, have improved mood, and are better capable of safeguarding their cognitive self.  Solutions for Senior Isolation: Housing  Senior isolation is an ongoing issue that has certainly come to a head during this pandemic. Social living options are becoming increasingly important to allow seniors to connect to others in the same area of life that they are in. Here are a few options for reducing isolation in terms of housing: Retirement Communities  A retirement community, without any additional support (medical or otherwise), is essentially just an apartment block or neighborhood that caters primarily to retired residents. As such, they have people their age in the same location who they can converse with, meet up with, and spend time with. So long as you get out and join the social goings on and talk to your neighbors, you are more likely to grow the necessary social connections you need.  Independent Living Solutions  If you want more opportunities and convenience, then the best options are independent living situations. Belmont Village Senior Living offers some of the best independent living arrangements around. You live on your own, but have access to classes, programs, transportation services, and there are medical staff nearby if there is an unexpected emergency.  Assisted Living Solutions  For those who need greater medical care, but want to retain as much independence as possible, there are specialized assisted living solutions that allow seniors to retain as much independence as possible, while still enjoying having staff nearby to care for their medical needs and taking care of many of the more strenuous daily chores.  Solutions for Senior Isolation: Social Opportunities  Making new friends is hard for adults, because we lack the structure we grew up with that allowed us to casually make new friends without any additional pressure. When you retire, you can actually take advantage of the similar structures that allowed us to make friends as easily as when we were kids:  Through Retirement Programs  One of the best ways to make new friends for seniors living in independent or assisted living communities is to simply take advantage of the classes and events that are held on-site. If you live in a retirement communi…

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