Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation for Families Living with a Dementia
Older adults in general are at a higher risk to experience social isolation and loneliness: they are more likely to live alone, have fewer friends and family members living, and more likely to have a chronic illness that may limit their ability to even leave their home.
People living with a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and family members providing support, have an increased risk to feel socially isolated and experience feelings of loneliness. Although efforts to address the double stigma that comes along with a dementia diagnosis, (the person with the diagnosis, and the family members) is improving, individuals and families are more likely to self-isolate for fear of shame and judgment.
Social isolation is a significant problem, and about one-third of people living with a dementia reports feelings of loneliness, due to loss of friendships, feelings of confusion, and a lack of meaningful relationships. Family member and friends of the person living with a type of dementia, also feel the loneliness and social isolation due to the lack of social support, lack of resources to address these two health concerns, and because of the cognitive decline in the person, family members experience emotional isolation, as the person is still living but is emotionally unavailable.
What is the difference between social isolation and loneliness? Loneliness is a distressing feeling of not belonging and being alone, even when around people. It is a complex subjective emotional state with perceptions of a lack of meaningful and satisfying relationships. Social isolation is an objective measure of having few social connections, and infrequent interaction with people, and a lack of meaningful connections.
Both have a profound impact of the physical and mental health of the person living with a dementia and the family because social isolation leads to a higher risk of developing dementia, and social isolation also increases cognitive decline due to lack of stimulation.
What to do? Stay as active and engaged in life as possible. Create and maintain meaningful relationships and include friends in your circle of support. Participating in group activities, such as the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, Florida’s weekly Memory Cafe, can increase the social support and decrease the social isolation, while promoting overall well-being and an improved quality of life. You are invited to join us!
If you would like more information about our Memory Ministry, our Memory Cafe or Family and Friends Workshops, please contact Vicky at vpitner@firstumc.org.