Term Paper on "Senior Isolation"

Term Paper 3 pages (1020 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Senior Isolation

Today, senior citizens typically live alone and often find themselves isolated from family and the community. Isolation may be caused by the death of a spouse or by the death of close friends and family members. Seniors may find themselves isolated due to divorce, or adult children and close family members may live too far away for regular contact. Senior citizens may feel isolated due to employment retirement or chronic illness may keep them from involvement in social activities. Isolation may lead to a variety of negative effects (Medical).

Isolation often leads to depression for senior citizens. In fact, depression in individuals 65 years of age and older is considered a major health problem, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (Medical). Depression in the elderly often goes undiagnosed because doctors and family assume that the senior has simply slowed down due to advancing age, thus many elderly citizens find themselves coping with symptoms of depression that may actually increase isolation because they have lost interest in normal activities and communications (Medical). Moreover, not only does depression generally lasts longer in senior adults, but it also doubles their risk of developing cardiac diseases and can increase the risk of death from illness, as well as reduce their rehabilitation (Medical).

According to recent research, elderly persons who lack companionship and emotional or social support are vulnerable to heart problems (Ham). The study found that for every unit increase in loneliness, there was a threefold increase among older adults in being diagnosed with at heart condition (Ham). Every unit increase in perceived emotional support indicated a 97% decrease, while every unit increase in perceived social support or companionship decreased the odds of having a heart condition by 91% (Ham). The health effects of social isolation are particularly significant among seniors because they are more vulnerable to disruptions in their personal relationships due to death or illness (Ham). Moreover, many are removed from their social networks by being institutionalized in nursing homes or other managed care facilities (Ham). The authors found that the companionship of just one person was enough to reduce the risk of heart disease, while social support with multiple individuals produced increased health effects (Ham).

Depression in elderly adults also increases the likelihood of suicide, in fact the suicide rates in persons 80 to 84 years of age are twice that of the general population (Medical). Studies suggest that social isolation is associated with attempted suicide and deliberate self-harm among seniors (Sullivan).

Moreover, isolated seniors are less likely to shop for groceries or to cook for themselves, thus they are more likely to skip meals or eat convenience foods and snacks that are high in fat and sodium which increases their risks for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease (Dooley). In fact, surveys indicate that more than 50% of senior citizens live and eat alone, increasing their risk for malnutrition and associated diseases (Dooley). This has led many communities across the country to establish meal programs for seniors to help ensure they receive proper nutrition and companionship (Dooley).… READ MORE

How to Reference "Senior Isolation" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Isolation Is a Key Theme Running Term Paper

Isolation is a key theme running through Steinbeck's novel Grapes of Wrath. From the social stigma of being labeled an "Oakie" to the government-run labor camps, the Joads experience nothing… read more

Term Paper 1 pages (315 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Career / Labor / Human Resources

---

Isolation in American Literature the Grapes Term Paper

Isolation in American Literature

The Grapes of Wrath, the Great Gatsby and the Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

The history of humanity is the story of human interactions. Each… read more

Term Paper 11 pages (3546 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Family / Dating / Marriage

---

Aging and Social Isolation Term Paper

Gerontology

Aging and Social Isolation

This article relates to gerontology because it discusses two studies of aging men (58 black men aged 65 to 96), and discusses whether they are… read more

Term Paper 1 pages (388 words) Sources: 1 Topic: Family / Dating / Marriage

---

Technology Contributes to US End of Isolation Period Term Paper

American Isolationism

End of U.S. Isolation

The End of American Isolationism

George Washington, in his farewell address in 1796, warned future Americans that "the great rule of conduct for us… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (831 words) Sources: 5 Topic: American History / United States

---

Hunchback Oppression, Isolation and World War II Movie Review

Hunchback

Oppression, Isolation and World War II in the Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

In 1939, the world was a place in the immediate throes of what would become one… read more

Movie Review 3 pages (947 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: World History

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>