For many, the holidays are associated with positive feelings of happiness, joy, love, and excitement where family and friends gather together, celebrating the closing of one year and the possibilities of new one. For others, the holiday season can be one of loneliness and isolation.
A 2017 AARP Foundation survey found that 28% of adults over 50 feel lonely during the holiday season. What many people don’t realize is that loneliness and social isolation are not synonyms.
“These are complex phenomena that we are learning more about every day,” says Matthew Lee Smith, PhD, MPH, CHES, FGSA, FAAHB, co-director of the Center for Population Health and Aging at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. “While some who are physically solitary may be content, others who are surrounded by others may feel completely alone.”
According to the AARP Foundation, social isolation focuses on quantifiable measurements like a person’s social network size and access to resources, transportation, and information; loneliness is a person’s perception of whether or not they feel isolated.
“Only until recently has social isolation been given focused attention as a serious health risk,” says Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH, founding and co-director of the Center for Population Health and Aging. “Many people don’t realize or know that social isolation poses health risks that are comparable to smoking and being physically inactive.”
Isolation is rarely caused by a single event for the aging population. Poor physical health, mental health issues, major life events like retirement, and major losses are just a few select causes. Signals of isolation include:
- Withdrawal and deep boredom
- Poor nutrition and eating habits
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Cluttered home or home in disrepair
However, there are ways to recognize, talk about, and combat loneliness and isolation during the holiday season and beyond.
“Being around family and friends is important, but it is equally or more important to have meaningful interactions,” Smith says. “The key to enhancing connectivity is communication. Try to understand the situations and circumstances of others, attempt to recognize their needs, and see what you can do to make older adults feel supported and valued. Be welcoming, ask questions, and listen.”
So, how can someone find these meaningful interactions and connections? There is no one right way but a multitude of options to consider. Attend community events. Sign up for a lifelong education. Engage with others through volunteering. Join a community or senior center. Participate in an exercise program. Even something as simple as a daily phone call to a friend across the country can foster and nurture connectivity.
This commentary is brought to you by the Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging. CPHA strives to bring together stakeholders and partners from the community, clinical, and corporate sectors to address the needs of older adults. Working together, CPHA’s mission is to keep Texans “Active for Life®…Every one! Every age! Every day!” For more information about CPHA, visit www.cpha.tamhsc.edu.
