The complexities of aging alone

The loss of a spouse or members of a peer group can also lead to reduced human contact and more time spent alone. There are many emotional and physical risks associated with isolating. Limited stimulation from the outside world can result in depression, confusion, decline in mental health, worsening of health conditions, higher risk of falling, dehydration and hunger.

Unlike other pressing public health issues that are studied and reported on extensively, the problem of social isolation among older adults is virtually invisible. The very nature of the problem – older individuals isolating in their homes – makes it difficult to see, study and fix. Social isolation of older adults doesn’t garner the same amount of research as other social issues or have well-funded programs to help remedy the problem. Through its grant programs, the newly formed Sarah Ralston Foundation, which evolved from the centuries-old Sarah Ralston House, seeks to address social isolation and other issues that affect the aging population in Philadelphia.

Social isolation is defined as spending most of your time alone, having little or no contact with friends or family. Often not by choice, there are a variety of reasons why isolation among older Philadelphians has become such an urgent problem.

“It can be the result of physical or mental health issues, poor mobility, or other impairments,” said Lynette Killen, executive director of The Sarah Ralston Foundation. “In addition to health issues, other circumstances, such as financial setbacks, embarrassment about the state of their home, or an inability to keep up their hygiene, can also limit social interaction.”

“Individuals who isolate are also more likely to ignore symptoms that need to be addressed by a health care provider,” said Neville Strumpf, board president of The Sarah Ralston Foundation and retired professor of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.

“There are no easy answers. It’s a complex problem.”

Addressing social isolation is a focus area of the Sarah Ralston Foundation.

“Our hope is to support organizations that develop innovative programs to mitigate the problem,” said Killen.

There are programs that try to identify isolated individuals and put them in touch with organizations and opportunities that offer much-needed companionship. The biggest challenge is uncovering and bringing the issue to someone’s attention.

Isolated older adults “don’t self-identify, so getting such a person onto the radar screen of organizations that are trying to help is difficult,” Strumpf said. “Raising the bar of awareness is the crucial first step. Social isolation doesn’t get the kind of priority that, say, food programs get. We can deliver a meal, but if the recipient is eating alone, we’ve missed an important opportunity to positively impact their well-being.”

One solution is to create networks that bring people together. Penn’s

Continued on page 14