Social Isolation and Loneliness
Social isolation is an objective lack of meaningful and sustained communication and connection. Loneliness is a subjective feeling of not having meaningful connections with others. Social isolation can lead to loneliness in some people, while others can feel lonely without being socially isolated.
How Social Isolation and Loneliness Can Affect You
Older adults are at increased risk of social isolation and loneliness because they are more likely to live alone, be retired, have lost loved ones and friends, have a chronic illness, and have hearing and vision loss.
Social isolation and loneliness can have debilitating effects on a person’s health, mood, happiness, and well-being. It is also associated with depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and other mental, emotional, or psychological conditions.
Research has identified the negative health implications of not being socially engaged. Social isolation significantly increases the risk of experiencing several medical conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, depression, and suicide.
Visit the AARP Foundation to learn more about the risks and symptoms of social isolation.
SOCIAL BRIDGING PROJECT PARTICIPANT
“They made me feel more secure in so far as I had somebody else that cared and somebody I could reach out to if I needed to.”
Social Isolation Self-Assessment
If you are unsure if you are experiencing social isolation, take our online Social Isolation Self-Assessment to learn more about your risk of social isolation.
This assessment called the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) is a validated tool designed to measure social isolation risk by measuring the number and frequency of social contacts with family and friends. This brief six question assessment can be self-administered. Scores of 0-12 suggest that an individual is at-risk for social isolation. Scores of 13-30 suggest stronger social connectedness.
Aren’t social isolation and loneliness the same thing?
Although social isolation and loneliness are both associated with an increased risk of poor health outcomes, they are different concepts. Social isolation refers to the absence of social contact or a lack of social connections and is usually measured objectively by a count of contacts or social encounters during a given period of time. Loneliness is more subjective, refers to a disquieting feeling and is used to describe the discrepancy between the amount of social contact a person wants and the amount they actually have. (Some people enjoy being alone and others may feel lonely even though they have some social contact with other people.)
What are the health risks of prolonged social isolation?
Numerous studies have shown that social isolation presents a substantial risk for increased morbidity and premature mortality that is similar to the health risks from obesity, hypertension or daily tobacco use. For example, social isolation is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia, 29% increased risk of heart disease and 32% increased risk of stroke. Loneliness is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide and, among heart failure patients, is “associated with a nearly four times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits”.
Source: National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine NASEM, 2020
Where does North Carolina stand in comparison with other states across the country?
North Carolina ranks 29th in risk of social isolation for adults aged 65+ (America’s Health Rankings). 27% of NC residents aged 65+ live alone (North Carolina Division of Aging, 2022). NC also ranks higher than the national average on three of the six most common risk factors for social isolation in older adults: disability, living alone and divorced/separated/widowed status (America’s Health Rankings, 2022). The map below shows which of the counties across the state are at the highest risk of social isolation.
Approximately 25% of adults ages 65 and older are socially isolated, and about 43% of these adults feel lonely. Some studies have found that rates of profound loneliness in North Carolina’s young and middle-aged adults (ages 18-64) are even higher than those found in older adults. (Social Isolation & Loneliness in Older Adults)
What can I do to get more socially connected?
The good news is that strong social networks have been shown to improve physical and cognitive health and self-management of chronic illness and getting older adults involved has proven more successful in reducing social isolation than simply providing services or training (BMC Public Health).
You can get connected today!
Visit our Resources and Virtual Events pages to find opportunities that interest you. You can also Contact Us to speak with someone who can help find the resources you need.
Does this sound like something you or someone you know may be experiencing?
We are here to help.
We aim to alleviate difficulties that accompany social isolation and serve as a bridge between you and the resources you need to be happier and more comfortable at home.
Please click the button below or call us at (828) 250-2399 to get started.