While aging in place is one of the main desires for individuals in their retirement years, it presents some challenges for the elderly, particularly social isolation. The separation from friends and family is a widely acknowledged problem affecting many high-age individuals, but it was not until recently that researchers have identified it as a health risk.
A University College London (UCL) study of 6,500 U.K. men and women over the age of 52 revealed earlier this week that prolonged separation from friends and family results in a 26 percent higher risk of death within seven years. According to the study, the risks were the same regardless of whether the respondents said that they felt lonely living by themselves.
Andrew Steptoe, a psychology professor at UCL, said that there is no clear reason why isolation has life-shortening effects on the elderly. However, experts, such as Steptoe and University of Chicago psychologist John Cacioppo, believe that a lack of contact with friends and family does have a negative impact on the lives of older individuals.
"Have lunch with somebody," Cacioppo said in an interview with NPR, speaking about tactics that can prevent the elderly from living in isolation. "Take a walk. Give them a phone call. I think those are all important ways that we need to stay connected with our relationships. And I think, in the long term, it can help us."
Providing the latest social engagement software, Independa is one of the leaders in connecting the elderly with friends and family. Independa Angela combines email, Facebook and Skype into one easy-to-use portal that is fully integrated into an LG TV. Care recipients can use a specially designed LG "magic remote" to respond to messages, which conveniently appear on top of the programs they are watching. Assisted living communities or home care providers looking to reduce their residents' feelings of loneliness should visit our contact us page to learn more about Independa's technological solutions.
