Lonely older women can often feel that they have no one to share their life with. They may even feel that they have no place to go. But thankfully there are options to help you overcome loneliness.
PRISM
There is no shortage of geriatrics to be ooh and ahh over. Using the internet to the exclusion of face time with family and friends can be a downright lonely endeavor. Thankfully, there is a silver bullet of sorts for those who want to keep the good times alive. The PRISM system (Program for Research and Innovation in Social Media) is a boon for those with an open mind. It ain’t cheap. Despite the cost of entry, there is a cadre of high potential participants who are dedicated to keeping the best for themselves. In turn, they offer a veritable trove of wisdom to a select few.
LISTEN
Loneliness is a serious issue for older adults and women in particular. It is linked to a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure and depression. And it can accelerate the need for long-term care.
The best way to tackle loneliness is to start by addressing individual needs. If you’re experiencing loneliness, you’ll want to increase social interaction. A few examples include getting to know other older adults, joining a book club, or attending a movie. You’ll also want to do things that are fun and enjoyable.
Another effective way to combat loneliness is to develop a plan that will keep you from becoming lonely in the first place. This may involve getting your friends and family members involved.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variety of impacts on the well-being of older adults, including social isolation. In particular, older women have reported feeling lonely more often than men. This has been linked to poor health and cardiovascular disease.
As a result, there is increased interest in ways to mitigate the impact of loneliness. Several studies have been conducted on the subject. For example, researchers have explored how changes in loneliness affect mental health and how reminiscence therapy can reduce depression in older women.
Researchers studied changes in loneliness scores in older adults participating in the Women’s Health Initiative. They used survey data collected prior to the COVID pandemic to investigate the effects of loneliness on mental health.
Household structure
Living alone is an experience that is common among younger and older people. However, there are different socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of individuals living alone.
The number of people living alone has increased considerably over the past few decades. Despite this, socioeconomic profiles of the population of individuals living alone differ depending on the factors of education, labour force participation, and housing affordability.
Among the elderly, women are more likely to live alone than men. In 1981, the number of senior women living alone was three times as high as that of senior men.
Gender is a key factor influencing the rates of single-parent households. Moreover, women are more likely to stay in their own family homes than men.
Limitations of the study
The concept of loneliness and social isolation is increasingly being considered in public health. Both are associated with increased mortality and CVD risk. Nonetheless, research on the relationship between these two factors is still in its infancy. In particular, a lack of theoretical underpinnings can complicate efforts to develop effective interventions.
Loneliness is associated with decreased mobility and poor health. Consequently, interventions to combat loneliness should target individuals experiencing these factors. However, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of such interventions.
There are a wide range of methods for reducing loneliness in older people. These may include one-to-one and group approaches. It is therefore important to identify which techniques are most effective. This may require some analysis of cultural factors, age, and local context.
