When is your loved one "too isolated"?

When is your loved one “too isolated”?

Posted By Maryann Porosky On FEBRUARY 04,2020

When caregiving draws us closer to a family member's routines, we're sometimes surprised by what we find. Perhaps you've noticed that Dad only leaves the house once or twice a week.

Social isolation has been shown to be a risk factor for many conditions. Depression. Heart disease. Obesity. Dementia. Should you be concerned? Not necessarily.

Although 28% of older adults live alone, not all of them feel lonely. Similarly, a person may be surrounded by others but still feel isolated. Before becoming alarmed, consider if your loved one is an extrovert or an introvert.

Extroverts

like to be out and about in the world
get energized by doing things with others and often initiate activities
like to "think out loud" about decisions and want others' feedback
find routine, such as solitary housework, unappealing

Introverts

are naturally quieter and keep thoughts to themselves
enjoy an active inner world
get energized by contemplating ideas and memories
like people but typically have a few close friends rather than a big social circle

Mom may have always been an introvert and happily so. A solitary lifestyle is only a problem if your loved one wishes things were different. Is your loved one's pattern in later life different from their earlier pattern? Common causes of isolation include death of a partner, friends getting sick or moving, loss of a driver's license, or increased difficulty getting around.

More important than having become isolated is whether your relative seems distressed by the change. He or she may or may not talk openly about feeling lonely. But depression from loneliness may show itself in other ways. Confused thinking. Irritability. Loss of appetite. Or difficulty sleeping.

If loneliness is a concern, consider making social activity a higher priority. And ask the doctor to do a depression screening. The hazards of stressful isolation are too risky to ignore.

Is loneliness a concern?
If so, give us a call at 973-627-4087. As the northern New Jersey experts in aging well, we at Caring Choices are quite familiar with the issues that lead to distress and depression. Let us help you come up with a plan.