There are and will be more and more seniors in Canada. Seniors represent a growing proportion of the population and this proportion will continue to increase. Canadians aged 65 and over represented 15% of the population in 2013 and this percentage will increase to almost 25% by 2036. In order to encourage the active participation of seniors in society, in the workplace and in the community, it is essential to prevent the real scourge of social isolation among this age group.
In the following article, we discuss how social work intervention can be an effective tool in preventing social isolation.
Social isolation: a problem that is often exacerbated by aging
It is important to distinguish between loneliness and social isolation. The first term refers to a gap between the social relationships that a person maintains and what he or she considers to be an ideal for him or her. Loneliness can cause psychological suffering, but it is a personal and subjective phenomenon that anyone can experience. Social isolation is rather a multifactorial phenomenon, which can be observed by others and which leads to very concrete consequences.
Social isolation can result from many factors, which are inherent to aging: loss of mobility, health problems, poverty, death of a spouse, inability to drive or difficulties with transportation, etc. When an aging person is confronted with one of these events, he or she can usually adapt to it. However, these events can occur close together in time and cause major upheavals in the person’s life. Social isolation is indeed a complex problem, which occurs due to a combination of circumstances.
Serious consequences for health
Social isolation in the elderly is a very real danger. It generally has a negative impact on physical health, but also on cognitive abilities since it contributes to the decline of the latter.
According to the National Seniors Council, people who live alone are 4 to 5 times more likely to be hospitalized. Social isolation can accelerate the loss of independence.
Among seniors, social isolation is linked to:
- A greater risk of dementia;
- A higher level of depression;
- Increased chronic pain and fatigue;
- Increased risk of abuse;
- Increased incidence of cardiovascular disease;
- Decreased physical abilities and independence.
Appropriate social work intervention to reduce risk
What is important to understand is that action must be taken as soon as factors likely to lead or contribute to social isolation arise. We must act upstream, that is, before isolation has a negative impact on an older person’s health. For example, when a spouse dies, we can take the initiative to prevent the person from falling into a spiral of isolation.
This is where social work intervention is very relevant. In fact, the social worker can offer very concrete support to help the person adapt to the changing circumstances in his or her life. This can help them become aware of the risks of isolation and take the necessary steps to prevent it. The social worker can direct the senior to resources that will allow him or her to continue to do the activities that are important to him or her, such as going to church, going to the mall, or simply remaining independent to do errands. These small changes can make a big difference in preventing isolation.
Clinic GO™ social workers offer an online social work consultation service. If you are concerned that a loved one is suffering from isolation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
