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Health Complications of Loneliness

What is loneliness? Many people automatically think that being alone is the same as feeling lonely but in reality, they are two different situations. A person can be alone and not feel lonely at all and a person can be in a room full of crowded people (even people he knows) and feel like the loneliest person on the planet.

Know the Difference Between Loneliness and Being Alone

One key way to remember the difference is to remember that being alone has more to do with the location and proximity of others, while feeling lonely is more of a mental state. Feelings of loneliness include feeling unwanted or not belonging. Loneliness is an overwhelming feeling of isolation and a loss of joy in the surroundings whereas someone can be alone and feel great joy as to where they are and what they are doing.

If your elderly loved one lives alone in her home or apartment, having conversations about how she feels about it is key to knowing how she is doing mentally with what may be a lack of company.

Loneliness can Lead to Other Health Complications

If your elderly loved one is feeling consistently lonely, it can lead to other health complications – both mentally and physically. Combatting loneliness will not only bring more joy into his life, it can help him stay healthy and active in his later years. Here are just a few health risks that may occur if loneliness is left unchecked.

Poor lifestyle choices

Those who are lonely often make bad lifestyle choices as they try to fill that void. Your loved one may eat too much, smoke too much, or start drinking alcohol regularly. All of these bad lifestyle choices can lead to other health conditions that will continue to isolate him.

Depression and suicide

Loneliness can take away a person’s ability to find joy in everyday moments, leading to depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Your loved one may feel like he has no one to turn to.

Dementia

Loneliness can speed up the progression of dementia for those in the beginning stages and increase the risk for those who don’t have it.

Heart problems

Metaphorically and physically, loneliness can lead to heart problems. If your loved one has heart health issues, it can increase his risk of fatal complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

Reduce Loneliness with a Companion Care at Home Provider

Helping your loved one battle loneliness can be difficult, especially if you don’t live nearby or don’t have others who can step in and spend some time with him. A companion care at home provider who visits his home to play games, enjoy a meal, or simply listen is a great first step to helping him overcome his loneliness.

A companion care at home provider can also help him build other relationships outside of his home by taking him to community events, encouraging him to join a local group that has similar interests, and even finding online friends where he can check in regularly and connect with friends. Those first steps can often be difficult for the elderly but with the guidance and support of you and a companion care at home provider, your loved one will begin to feel less lonely and more like there is still a place for him in this world where he belongs and is welcome.

Reference
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html

If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in Salina, KS, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas today. Call 620-603-0685.

Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas is a Trusted Home Care Agency Barton, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Larned, Lyons, Marion, McPherson, Newton, Pawnee, Rice, Reno, Salina, Sedgwick, Stafford, and the surrounding areas.