Question

Discuss the effects of loneliness and isolation in the older adult according to the NIH.GOV publication.

The text must be no shorter than 6 sentences and no longer than 10.

Answer 1

ANSWER:
Humans are connected to one another to survive but when we become older adult we are alone making us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness and leading to many health problems like cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease.

Social isolation is the objective physical separation from other people (living alone), while loneliness is the subjective distressed feeling of being alone or separated. It’s possible to feel lonely while among other people, and you can be alone yet not feel lonely.

According to some recent research, social isolation and loneliness leads to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.

People who find themselves unexpectedly alone due to the death of a spouse or partner, separation from friends or family, retirement, loss of mobility, and lack of transportation are at particular risk.

Loneliness automatically triggers a set of related behavioural and biological processes that contribute to the association between loneliness and premature death in people of all ages.

People who feel lonely may also have weakened immune cells that have trouble fighting off viruses, which makes them more vulnerable to some infectious diseases as loneliness acts as a fertilizer for other diseases.

So, we are accountable to help our lonely children, parents, neighbours, and even strangers in the same way we would treat ourselves as a collective responsibility and make them engage in meaningful, productive activities with others which tends to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose and their activities seem to help maintain their well-being and may improve their cognitive functions too.