Health and mobility problems may prevent seniors from socializing or communicating with others outside the home. For example, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, many older adults avoided socializing due to their increased risk of developing serious COVID-19 complications. Lack of interaction may have increased the rate of health problems among the elderly.
Isolation is a major concern for seniors living alone and can lead to an increase in depression, anxiety, dementia, and other health problems. The first step to managing depression and isolation in seniors is knowing and understanding the symptoms.
It's normal to feel down, lonely, anxious, sad, or "empty" occasionally. However, if these feelings persist for weeks or months, they may indicate depression in seniors. Other symptoms of depression include:
Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to prevent seniors from developing depression. But you can reduce their risk by taking steps to prevent social isolation. Keeping a senior active and engaged can seem difficult, especially if you live far away or your loved one lives with health, cognitive or mobility limitations. However, several strategies can help prevent isolation in seniors and encourage social contact, including:
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