The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Loneliness Among the Geriatric Population: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Enhance the Well-Being of Elderly Individuals
Faculty Mentor
Rebecca Rivera
Major/Area of Research
Social Work
Description
INTRODUCTION: Aging is an inevitable process. The elderly population continues to expand as individuals are lasting longer years than before. When an elderly person is in his/her final stage of life, there are other challenges that can impact and/or change the elderly person’s health, emotional, and social abilities. These challenges can have altering effects on one’s daily functioning. A challenge that is becoming a major concern worldwide is loneliness. Once identified, can the elderly learn new adaptive skills? This paper aimed to define the types of loneliness that can occur to individuals particularly within the geriatric population. It is looked at how loneliness impacts the elderly person’s mental health and physical health. Lastly, a review of the different interventions to help the elderly manage and cope with their loneliness was discussed.
METHOD: Information was collected via literature searches from secondary sources using Google Scholar.
RESULTS: Loneliness among the elderly when left untreated can lead to both lasting psychological and physiological impacts. However, research shows with appropriate interventions, the elderly person may establish new behavioral patterns to reduce and/or eliminate the feelings of isolation that lead to loneliness.
CONCLUSION: The findings highlighted that loneliness could lead to mental health and physical conditions that impact the person’s daily functioning. They also highlighted how loneliness could be reduced or ameliorated with the use of proper intervention. Ongoing research is beneficial to help and provide guidance in hopes to help the elderly individual live a happier and fulfilling end of life.
The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Loneliness Among the Geriatric Population: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Enhance the Well-Being of Elderly Individuals
INTRODUCTION: Aging is an inevitable process. The elderly population continues to expand as individuals are lasting longer years than before. When an elderly person is in his/her final stage of life, there are other challenges that can impact and/or change the elderly person’s health, emotional, and social abilities. These challenges can have altering effects on one’s daily functioning. A challenge that is becoming a major concern worldwide is loneliness. Once identified, can the elderly learn new adaptive skills? This paper aimed to define the types of loneliness that can occur to individuals particularly within the geriatric population. It is looked at how loneliness impacts the elderly person’s mental health and physical health. Lastly, a review of the different interventions to help the elderly manage and cope with their loneliness was discussed.
METHOD: Information was collected via literature searches from secondary sources using Google Scholar.
RESULTS: Loneliness among the elderly when left untreated can lead to both lasting psychological and physiological impacts. However, research shows with appropriate interventions, the elderly person may establish new behavioral patterns to reduce and/or eliminate the feelings of isolation that lead to loneliness.
CONCLUSION: The findings highlighted that loneliness could lead to mental health and physical conditions that impact the person’s daily functioning. They also highlighted how loneliness could be reduced or ameliorated with the use of proper intervention. Ongoing research is beneficial to help and provide guidance in hopes to help the elderly individual live a happier and fulfilling end of life.