Loneliness in the Elderly

For older people loneliness can be a severe problem. It can lead to health problems, financial instability and depression.  Unfortunately, it can be difficult to identify until its negative impacts have taken a toll. 

Listed below are some examples of how loneliness can effect your loved-one and how you can prevent it.

Loneliness and its Effects on Health

People are wired to rely on social interaction and without it, their quality of life is negatively effected.  Loneliness can disrupt sleep, cause health problems and accelerate the aging process. Research has shown that seniors who live alone are even more susceptible to cardiovascular problems.

When elderly do not have close physical contact with their loved-ones, they are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is important to encourage them to stay connected with safe, reliable people.  This is especially important if your loved-one chooses to age in their own homes, which is a popular choice for 90% of seniors.

Loneliness and its Effects on Finances

The elderly are among the most common victims of telemarketers, scammers and untrustworthy caregivers.  Being lonely makes older adults overly trusting and vulnerable.  They may allow a shady contractor to chat their way into their home or give their personal information to a scammer/ telemarketer because they were so friendly.

Scammers will often pose as authoritative figures such as the IRS, law enforcement, Medicare, Social Security, debt-collectors, etc. to frighten them into giving out their personal information.  These scammers are often very convincing causing them to give their information right then to avoid something bad from happening. 

Private caregivers hired without undergoing background or reference checks can also pose a danger.  They become a trusted friend to the senior and can take advantage in numerous ways.  Unfortunately, there are many other ways that people exploit the elderly – too many to list.

Steps to Combat Elder Loneliness

It is important to take proactive measures to help your loved-one protect their physical, emotional and financial health.  Convince your loved-one to check with you before giving out any information or letting anyone in their home.  A reliable Care Manager can assist you and your loved-one in connecting with many resources.  They can assess your loved-one’s needs and create an individualized plan to help ensure their safety and well-being.

To learn more about the services available visit: https://www.roanokecaremanagement.com/