An Epidemic of Isolation

Isolation is often an unwelcome side effect of entering into institutionalized care. Even in-home care comes with it’s share of loneliness and isolation from the world outside when residents live alone and have little to no visitors.

An article from the CDC states that although hard to measure, the evidence from recent studies find that:

• Social isolation significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

• Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.

• Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.

• Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

• Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits.

Whether a person is in a full time care facility, or receiving part time assistance, the measurable benefits of holistic care and caring visits can have positive and lasting physical, mental, and emotional effects.

Some helpful links to Resident Care and Resident Rights including up to date visitation guidelines, and other helpful sources of information: https://www.cms.gov/, https://ltcombudsman.org/, https://justiceinaging.org/, https://leagueofhumandignity.com/

Reference : CDC https://www.cdc.gov/, taken from National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25663.