What Does Loneliness in Seniors Look Like?

When someone is lonely, that means they’re not getting the social interaction and connection that they need and want. For seniors, it’s all too easy to become lonely, especially if they’re aging in place, dealing with health issues, and struggling with mobility challenges. Learning what loneliness looks like in seniors helps family caregivers find solutions like companion care at home to help aging adults address the issue directly.

 

Reduced Energy

Lots of seniors who are dealing with loneliness start to experience reduced energy levels. They might not connect this right away to loneliness, though. There are lots of reasons aging adults don’t have the same energy levels they used to have, and they can all be at play.

Social isolation is draining, though, especially for seniors who are extroverted and aren’t getting enough time around other people. Companion care at home providers can help.

 

Sleep Trouble

Seniors who are lonely and feeling the effects of it might have more trouble sleeping. This can manifest in a variety of different ways. They might have trouble falling asleep, their sleep hours might shift, or they could start sleeping a lot more than they used to.

Sleep problems can lead to other issues as well, especially if seniors are experiencing worsening overall health as a result.

 

Withdrawing from Others

Even if they’re feeling lonely, seniors might still withdraw from other people. This can happen because loneliness can make them feel as if they aren’t worthy of having company, and exhausted by the idea of trying to reach out to others. These feelings can pile up and keep seniors stuck in a loneliness loop.

Breaking that loop may take some time, especially if seniors have been battling loneliness for a long time.

 

Increased Health Issues

Loneliness has health impacts, too. Seniors who are battling loneliness may find that existing health issues get worse, or they have more trouble managing their health issues. Seniors may also have more trouble with health issues if they’re spending time alone because they’re not able to drive anymore.

Companion care at home providers can correct that issue for them by helping with transportation assistance.

 

Feeling Unsafe or Isolated

If it’s left unchecked, loneliness can become isolation. Seniors might feel unsafe in their homes, too. If they don’t feel as if they have the support that they need, that can compound the feelings of anxiety and isolation.

Working with seniors to address safety issues and loneliness at the same time can greatly improve feelings of safety. This can in turn help seniors feel more confident in their relationships with others.

 

There are some variations in how loneliness presents in everyone, of course, but understanding what it can look like can be eye-opening for family caregivers. Enlisting the help of companion care at home is a great first step because families can get a better understanding of what is going on, and they can also try a variety of solutions.

Beating loneliness can resolve a variety of issues for aging adults, even ones that don’t seem as if they’re related.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home in Jericho, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722