The perils of loneliness among older people

Paradoxically, as digital connectivity increases throughout the world, people are experiencing greater levels of loneliness and social isolation.

In Australia, approximately one in three people feel lonely some, if not all of the time — up from one in four since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults and those in regional and remote areas are particularly at risk of social isolation and loneliness, which can lead to serious and complex health complications.

One of the key health risks of poor social connections is dementia, the second leading cause of death in Australia. According to the World Health Organization, loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of developing dementia by a whopping 50%.

To combat this issue, researchers at UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) have launched a new online study addressing the role of social engagement in maintaining brain function and wellbeing: ‘Maintaining Social Engagement’.

What are the researchers hoping to achieve?

Led by social health expert and clinical psychologist Dr Suraj Samtani, the Maintaining Social Engagement Study aims to provide expert support and activities for people over the age of 55 with memory concerns to help them stay socially engaged, by utilising video calls.

“Evidence suggests that being socially active reduces risk of dementia by half,” Samtani said. “This is even after taking into account all other risk factors for dementia.”

One in three Australians over the age of 65 live in rural and remote areas of Australia. According to the 2023 Ending Loneliness Together Report, 35% of those people are lonely. These communities face challenges accessing services and experience significant geographic and resource barriers against social activities, all of which have negative health consequences.

“Interacting with friends and family, but especially having a confidante, someone you trust, is a critical factor in not feeling lonely,” Samtani said. “Social connection for us is a basic human need, just like food and water.”

Carolyn Monaghan, who lives in Warrnambool, Victoria — 270 km from Melbourne — has been participating in the new study since 1 March 2024.

“I’ve never participated in research before and I now value social connection more than ever,” Monaghan said.

“Being part of this study group has given me mental stimulation and friendship. It’s made me feel good and I’ve definitely looked forward to the zoom sessions.”

The impact of isolation and loneliness on health

Samtani said it is important to note the difference between social isolation and loneliness.

“Being socially isolated is the physical state of having less interactions with other people. Loneliness is the emotional state of feeling disconnected from the people around us and feeling the need for more rewarding social connections,” he said.

Monaghan had found herself becoming more socially isolated following her father’s vascular dementia diagnosis.

“It’s so easy to end up doing nothing, talking to no one and finding yourself dull and boring,” she said.

According to Samtani, the health risks of social isolation and loneliness are comparable to excessive drinking and daily smoking.

“Loneliness is as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Being lonely can increase your risk of getting dementia by 26%,” he said.

Conversely, according to the longest happiness study ever conducted, social connectivity can delay the start of physical health conditions by 10–15 years. The Harvard-led study found that our relationships with people have a powerful influence on health, and that close relationships are the key to maintaining happiness throughout our lives.

“Quality relationships protect us from dealing with life’s minor and major troubles on our own,” Samtani said. “Strong social connections are far more important than just having lots of connections. They help us to prevent or delay health issues — mental and physical.”

Monaghan has found that the research has encouraged her to do more.

“I was starting to think I couldn’t be bothered to go out sometimes and I was worried I was becoming demotivated with life. Being part of this research has encouraged me to go to social groups and say yes to outings because I feel so much better for it,” she said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Yaraslau Saulevich