- Loneliness and social isolation drive elderly into rest homes
- New research from the University of Otago, Christchurch has found loneliness and social isolation can compel elderly people to enter aged care more than health issues.
http://superseniors.msd.govt.nz/health-wellbeing/preventing-social-isolation/index.html
- Older people are particularly vulnerable to social isolation or loneliness due to loss of friends and family, health and mobility or income
- About half of older New Zealanders experience some level of loneliness in our lives – approximately eight to nine percent of us feel lonely all or most of the time
- Lacking social connections is as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day
- We all have different levels of need for social contact. Some people with limited contact with friends and family may not feel lonely.
Potential causes:
- living alone
- relocation – moving away from a familiar environment, losing touch with people we know
- loss of income as a result of reduced work capacity or retirement
- losing a loved one or friends due to death or relocation
- inability to participate in activities due to access issues, mobility, illness or transport.
https://www.ageconcern.org.nz/ACNZ_Public/Loneliness_and_Social_Isolation_Research.aspx
- The majority of older people are not severely lonely, but current research indicates that about half of older New Zealanders experience some level of loneliness, and 8-9% feel lonely all or most of the time. This is important, not just because loneliness is painful, but because having inadequate social relationships has been shown to be as bad for health as smoking. Loneliness has also been linked to increased likelihood of entering rest home care.
- The prevalence of loneliness rises again in the 75+ age group
Who is lonely ? Factors:
- Low income
- Living alone
- Being of an ethnic minority
- Being gay or lesbian
- Being over 80
- Poor health and disability
- Reduced mobility
- Cognitive and sensory impairment
- Living in deprived urban, or isolated rural area i
- n the New Zealand General Social Survey, loneliness amongst older people has been strongly linked to low income (Statistics New Zealand, 2010).
- “Social isolation and loneliness is an invisible condition that cannot be observed or clinically assessed because it is unique to each individual” – Dan Geraghty
New Copy Writing:
Older people are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness due to loss of friends and family, health and mobility, or income. About half of older New Zealanders experience some level of loneliness – if this is you, contact your local Age Concern center for information about social activities and services in your area.
Shannon Perry Ihi Wehi 