Social isolation is a health issue for older Americans

Social isolation is the quantifiable measure of social interactions in relationships. Loneliness is the perceived level or feelings of being socially isolated and reflects a feeling of isolation, lack of companionship and feeling left out.

Beyond its emotional toll, social isolation, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, can be physically harmful to aging adults, experts say. It raises the risk of heart disease and stroke by roughly 30%, the risk for dementia by 50% and significantly raises the risk of dying prematurely.

While widespread vaccinations are helping restore social connections, the downside of isolation remains substantial.

People who are isolated are less likely to keep health care appointments or follow medical advice, such as taking their prescriptions regularly, said Jeffrey Burr, a gerontology professor at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. It's because there's no one to encourage or remind them to do those things.

Studies also show isolated older adults are less physically active, more prone to sleep disorders, anxiety and depression, and less likely to eat a healthy diet.

"That has negative consequences for your cardiovascular health, your immune system and your nervous system, as well," said Burr, who studies social relations and health.

But while social isolation is considered a risk factor for many aging-related illnesses, that doesn't mean everyone who lives alone will have those problems, said Judy Poey, a former health investigator now working as a health program officer for the United Way of Central Maryland.

"It's a risk factor," she said. "It's not deterministic."

Poey led a 2017 study published in The Gerontologist that showed living alone and feelings of loneliness or perceived isolation were associated with greater cognitive difficulty in older adults. At the same time, those who had more social support and engagement had a lower risk for all types of dementia.

She oversees a program that delivers "stress relief" kits to community members, with tools such as a stress ball and soothing noise makers. They also include a list of questions to help people identify issues that can arise from social isolation, such as, "Are you comfort eating?" and "Are you skipping meals?"

With the kit comes a number to call if they want someone to talk to, or need to be connected to other services, such as meal deliveries. "It's a way to check in on our neighbors," Poey said.
When in-person social interactions aren't possible, technology can help, Burr said. Video chats or even phone calls allow at least some form of social contact. But, he cautioned, it isn't enough. "I think of it as supplemental. It's better than nothing."