I just read this article from the University of Cambridge:
According to the article, social isolation can have a Big Impact, which is worrying! For many older people, a degree of social isolation is seemingly inevitable: death of a spouse/partner, limited mobility maybe, perhaps no longer driving and the limits that brings, even financial difficulties. All these things can impact social contact.
I'm also concerned for myself, as ever....
I'm (only!) 62 and have lived alone for at least 15 years. I've never been very sociable and don't have friends locally. I spend most of my time at home. My kids live on the other side of the country - I rarely see them. None of us drive and I don't travel well. I do have a 'boyfriend' but he also lives 4 hours drive away. He visits every couple of weeks but is now ill so visits are decreasing. So using the criteria in the article above, I'd have to answer 'no' to all 3 questions
And yet, and yet... I am not lonely and I don't feel isolated! I'm in touch with friends via phone/internet, in fact if I'm honest, it's my preferred sort of contact. I communicate with others on a few forums, including this one. And I live with 4 cats - does that count? They take up a lot of my time, give me responsibility (and a reason to get up in the morning) and a whole lotta love. As they are siblings, they behave like a family...
But is this enough? I can't see myself ever volunteering at the local charity shop or joining a group of some sort.
Social isolation may impact brain volume in regions linked to higher risk of dementia
Social isolation is linked to lower brain volume in areas related to cognition and a higher risk of dementia, according to research published today in
www.cam.ac.uk
According to the article, social isolation can have a Big Impact, which is worrying! For many older people, a degree of social isolation is seemingly inevitable: death of a spouse/partner, limited mobility maybe, perhaps no longer driving and the limits that brings, even financial difficulties. All these things can impact social contact.
I'm also concerned for myself, as ever....
I'm (only!) 62 and have lived alone for at least 15 years. I've never been very sociable and don't have friends locally. I spend most of my time at home. My kids live on the other side of the country - I rarely see them. None of us drive and I don't travel well. I do have a 'boyfriend' but he also lives 4 hours drive away. He visits every couple of weeks but is now ill so visits are decreasing. So using the criteria in the article above, I'd have to answer 'no' to all 3 questions
And yet, and yet... I am not lonely and I don't feel isolated! I'm in touch with friends via phone/internet, in fact if I'm honest, it's my preferred sort of contact. I communicate with others on a few forums, including this one. And I live with 4 cats - does that count? They take up a lot of my time, give me responsibility (and a reason to get up in the morning) and a whole lotta love. As they are siblings, they behave like a family...
But is this enough? I can't see myself ever volunteering at the local charity shop or joining a group of some sort.