AREA AGENCY ON AGING
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Circle of Friends Program Targets Loneliness and Loneliness has long been a serious problem for older adults. With the Social Isolation pandemic, health and mental health issues have been exacerbated by circumstances – home orders, closed senior centers and churches, fewer family gatherings, restrictions on hospital and nursing home visitation. All have brought a face to the problem of loneliness. Loneliness Linked to Serious Health Conditions Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are public health risks. Older adults are more likely to face living alone, loss of family, chronic illness and hearing loss. The AARP Foundation and the National Council on Aging, in extensive studies, found older adults who describe themselves as lonely have a 59% greater risk of functional decline and a 45% greater risk of death. Surveys reported 17% of adults aged 65 and older are isolated (nearly 1 in 5), with 46% of women aged 75 and older living alone. Isolation is harmful at any age but is especially dangerous for people over 50. The health risks of prolonged isolation have been found to be equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher blood pressure, increased susceptibility to the flu, greater risk of heart disease, the earlier
12 ALABAMA GULF COAST – SPRING–SUMMER 2022
Local nursing home resident shows off her robotic dog. Prior to receiving her new pet, Ms. T. practically did not speak, but now she is not only talking to her dog, she takes it everywhere and is telling everyone about him. onset of dementia, depression and $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually. Some of the most prevalent causes of isolation reported by the AARP Foundation are: n n
Transportation challenges Poor health and well-being including hearing loss, mobility impairments, frailty, and poor mental health
