A 2013 report on senior living arrangements by the United States Administration on Aging shows that 19 percent of male adults age 65 or over live alone. For women, that number is a stunning 35 percent. As more seniors remain in their homes longer, social isolation is becoming a common contributor to declining health and a shorter life expectancy.
In the introduction of his article, “A Review of Social Isolation,” published in The Journal of Primary Prevention, Nicholas R. Nicholson observes, “Social isolation has been demonstrated to lead to numerous detrimental health effects in older adults, including increased risk for all-cause mortality, dementia, increase risk for re-hospitalization, and an increased number of falls.”
In addition, mortality risks are about three times as high for isolated seniors. Particularly at risk for these issues are those who are unmarried, have few friends or relatives or do not participate in volunteer groups, churches or other outside organizations.
Families are beginning to recognize that the companion care offered as a part of senior at home care services is invaluable to combating this isolation and its negative effects on senior health.
Julie Eversole is the Executive Director of Golden Heart Senior Care, an agency which offers senior at home care services, in Centerville, Ohio. “Clearly, researchers have shown how isolation, or social disconnection, can be directly associated with declining physical and mental health among older adults,” she says. “That’s why, although our caregivers are skilled in many areas, they are, first and foremost, loving companions to our clients.” Companion care offered as a component of quality senior at home care services can lead to longer life expectancy, better health and significantly improved quality of life.
