Becoming lonely and isolated is a common pattern as our loved ones age, and it is important that we address these issues head on in order to improve their quality of life. 43% of elders admit that they feel a sense of loneliness, so it is imperative to find the root of this loneliness in order to address the underlying cause and treat it accordingly. Loneliness can bring on a plethora of health issues, so it is vital that caregivers do not underestimate it’s potential dangers.

Key Takeaways:

• Isolation and loneliness among elders stems from many circumstances, including spousal death and disability.
• Study shows approximately 18% of seniors live alone, while 43 express feelings of loneliness on an ongoing basis.
• LGBT elders are statistically twice as likely to be living alone, with many also being childless and estranged from family members.

“Older adults face a plethora of challenges. Dealing with social security concerns, finding comprehensive long term care coverage, and rearranging their retirement plans to accommodate increasing costs — growing older requires a lot of work and adjustments.”