Active Aging

10 Active Aging Week | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 is one of the great ironies of modern life that, in a world increasingly interconnected via technology, a growing number of older people are at increased risk of experiencing loneliness and social isolation. According to recent studies, older adults are especially vulnerable to the negative impact of both conditions, due to factors such as the loss of loved ones, declining health, and mobility challenges. Research has shown that social isolation can cause a range of adverse health outcomes among older adults, including mood disorders, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. Dr. Verena Menec, a professor in the department of community health services Community Health Sciences in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, conducts research into the social determinants of healthy aging, social isolation, and age-friendly communities. She and colleague Dr. Nancy Newall lead Targeting Isolation, an initiative designed to provide research-based information and resources to help address and prevent social isolation and chronic loneliness among older adults. "Decades worth of research shows that both social isolation and loneliness have negative consequences for physical health, such as increased risk of heart disease and mortality," says Menec. "Social isolation is as strongly related to mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day." She adds that It's also as strongly related to mortality as a lack of exercise. "Social isolation and loneliness are also negatively related to mental health. Loneliness, in particular, is strongly related to depression." Menec says it's important to differentiate between solitude and social isolation. "Loneliness is very different from solitude. It is an unpleasant state when one's social connections do not match what one would like," says Menec. "It has been likened to physical pain." Since research continues to find that social engagement is linked to positive physical and mental health, Menec says even those who are alone by choice can benefit from social connections. "While a person may be just fine not having many social contacts, it may cause problems in emergency situations. What happens if they have a fall, and nobody checks on them?" To help recognize the signs of loneliness and social isolation in ourselves and others, Newall and Menec developed the It SOCIAL CONNECTION Vital for Better Mental & Physical Health Socializing plays a central role in staying mentally and physically healthy.

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