Loneliness and Isolation

Affect Caregivers and the People They Care For

Photo by Maxim Berg on Unsplash

As I wrote in a previous article, I didn't feel isolated or lonely when caring for Dan. We were homebodies, got together with family, were centrally located, and did most things together. I went out at times but had an app on my phone to keep an eye on him. Time alone was a gift, but the responsibility was always mine.

The Family Caregiver Alliance article, Causes of Caregiver Isolation and Loneliness, made the following observations.

• A withdrawal from previous habits and lifestyles can cause isolation and loneliness. While friends continue their daily routines, some caregivers feel alone.

• Some caregivers may be providing 24-hour support and feel unable to leave. Their recharge time is reduced to nothing as they focus on the person they care for, spending time away from home for doctor visits and trips to the grocery store.

• Feeling alone in their struggles as caregivers can have emotional impacts, the onset of depression, and unexpected physical side effects only.

Strategies for Staying Well

One of the best ways to combat isolation and loneliness is to build time into your routine to focus on yourself. While this sounds like a fantasy to caregivers already strapped for time, there are ways to help reconnect to the people and activities that help restore your sense of connection and contentment, as the article says.

• Respite Care: Periods of respite care can allow a caregiver to focus on their own needs without worrying about the safety of their care recipient.

• Finding Support: While your friends or spouse may not understand what you’re going through, others in similar situations feel the same way.

• Maintaining Your Sense of Self: Use the time that you do have for yourself to participate in activities that fulfill you.

Those strategies weren’t beneficial for me. Respite care didn’t work because Dan’s dementia included paranoia - strangers were not allowed in his home. I found groups, but they were more about venting than learning how to manage challenging issues; besides, I couldn’t leave him alone. In the end, there was no time or energy for my activities.

However, I was a caregiver several years ago, and there are many available articles and books on the web and in books. In addition, I would make a more dedicated effort.

• Respite Care - I’d insist on having help, pretend the caregiver was a friend of mine, or slowly introduce the respite person into our lives.

• Support - I’d know more about the disease, available strategies, and options.

• Sense of Self - I would make more effort to make time for myself - even in small doses. It is that important!

You can read numerous articles regarding isolation and loneliness for seniors. Here are several examples.
The CDC says that

Older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss.

Keystone Health offers 8 Ways to Overcome Your Aging Parent's Loneliness.

With modern technological advances, staying in touch is easier than ever. Smartphones, social media apps, and the internet have made it possible to contact anyone anytime.

The National Institue on Aging says

Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive.

A Place For Mom notes the following.

A growing body of research reveals how isolation can harm the mental and physical health of seniors. A Brigham Young University study suggests loneliness is as deadly as smoking or obesity. At the same time, researchers at the University of Chicago note blood pressure and stress levels are significantly higher in lonely people.

Loneliness is a concern for older adults and their loved ones. We are fortunate to live in the technology age, which offers numerous ways to keep in touch, make friends, take classes, and read about almost anything. But there are pitfalls - scammers and tricksters abound.

The article, An Epidemic of Loneliness and Social Isolation provides valuable insights. As does the article, How Loneliness Changes Us, by Kathleen Smith.

A Medicare website article dated Jan. 2024 noted

Loneliness affects people of all ages, including seniors. Our new nationwide survey of seniors 65 and older in the U.S. discovered that 57% of older adults feel lonely, and for many, this feeling doesn’t go away during the holiday season.

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