Social distancing and Lock Downs Made Life Hard on the Elderly

Dr. Judith Friedman, Neuropsychologist

A study by the University of Chicago found that 43% of adults in the United States reported feeling lonely, up from 33% before the pandemic.

CALABASAS, CA, USA, July 8, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in loneliness around the world. A study by the University of Chicago found that 43% of adults in the United States reported feeling lonely, up from 33% before the pandemic. The study also found that loneliness was associated with increased anxiety and depression. (Read Report here)

Loneliness can have a negative impact on mental and physical health. It is associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease. Loneliness also can lead to physical health problems such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and immune system dysfunction.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for people to socialize in person. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders have made it difficult for people to interact with others. This has led to an increase in loneliness around the world.

There are ways to combat loneliness. People can stay connected with others through technology, exercise, and volunteering. It is important to find activities that bring joy and meaning to life. Combatting loneliness is important for mental and physical health.

Dr Ernst's words are a wake-up call to us all. The pandemic has taken a toll on our mental health, and loneliness is one of the silent killers. It's important to stay connected to our loved ones, even if it's just through a phone call or a text message. We all need to be there for each other during these tough times. If you're feeling lonely, reach out to someone and let them know. You're not alone in this. We're all in this together.

To better understand the effects of the pandemic on people's social lives, Ernst and her co-authors decided to focus specifically on loneliness. Their research found that, despite the measures taken to prevent its spread, the pandemic has indeed led to an increase in loneliness. This is likely due to the fact that social isolation and loneliness are not the same thing. Social isolation simply means having fewer interactions with others, while loneliness is the painful feeling of having less or poorer quality social connections than a person wants. The study found that the increased loneliness experienced by many during the pandemic is likely due to the fact that they are unable to interact with others in the same way as they did before. This highlights the importance of finding ways to maintain social connections even when we can't be together in person.

The researchers found that the pandemic did not have a significant impact on loneliness among young adults, but it did have a significant impact on loneliness among middle-aged adults and older adults. This is consistent with previous research on loneliness, which has found that younger adults are less likely to experience loneliness than middle-aged adults and older adults. The researchers suggest that this may be due to the fact that younger adults are more likely to live with their parents or other family members, and they are also more likely to be in school or working full-time. Older adults, on the other hand, are more likely to be living alone or in assisted living facilities, and they are also more likely to have health problems that make social interaction difficult. The pandemic may have exacerbated these factors, leading to an increase in loneliness among older adults.

While the pandemic has caused many people to feel isolated and alone, little is known about how to effectively address loneliness. More research is needed on the factors that put some individuals and groups at higher risk of experiencing loneliness, whether the changes in loneliness were primarily due to alterations in the quality or the quantity of people’s social interactions, and whether those differed across subpopulations, such as students and older adults. Such studies could help researchers develop better targeted interventions to increase people’s amount of social interaction or to improve the quality of their close relationships.

In addition, it is important to examine whether interventions aimed at reducing loneliness are effective in the long-term. “Strong evidence supporting interventions addressing loneliness remains limited. The increase in loneliness associated with the pandemic highlights the need for a concerted effort to strengthen that evidence base,” Ernst said. Only by understanding the causes and effects of loneliness can we hope to address this growing problem.

The pandemic has led to a significant increase in loneliness and isolation around the world. This is particularly concerning as loneliness has been linked with several health problems, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and premature death. While there are no easy solutions, it is important that we all do our part to combat loneliness by reaching out to those who may be feeling lonely and isolated. If you know someone who seems to be struggling with loneliness, please reach out to them and offer your support.

If you are feeling in need of therapy for this pandemic instigated isolation, please call Dr. Friedman at (818) 324-3800 or visit the website on www.reflectneuro.com for help. Several neuropsychological services and Medicare paid for therapy are available based on a limited number of spots available. We look forward to speaking with you.

Dr Judith Friedman
Reflect Neuropsychology
+1 818-324-3800
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