Prevention of Social Isolation

For various reasons, many older people can be socially isolated. An extended social isolation leads to mental and body overload. This can include excessive reactions to physical illnesses or to pain, or it can reduce adaptability. In serious cases, the older person presents symptoms of depression, and can even display suicidal ideas and behaviours.

Factors that can further intensify social isolation are health and personal, familial and environmental factors.

Stress in older people

It is possible that all people experience a variety of types of stress during different stages in life. A chronic and intense stress is pathological and may turn out to be a source for physical and mental diseases.

Stress in older people can be due to: Changes in the way of life or economic situation after retirement; caring for grandchildren; caring for a sick spouse; death of friends or relatives; loss of physical faculties or chronic illnesses; concern that the elder is not able to be independent and fear of entering a closed care facility.

Stress can influence sleep patterns, appetite, cause frequent urination, pain and lassitude and psychological difficulties like anxiety, fear, confusion, depression, memory loss and difficulties in concentration.

Prevention of depression

Depression is a pathological situation that does not only characterize old age, and is not expressed the same way as in the young. Depressed elders complain more about physical ailments or pains in various points of the body. The EU Green Bible shows that depression influences 10-15 percent of people over 65 and old people suffering from depression are two to three times more likely to suffer from chronic deceases, while 5.5 million suffer from Alzheimer.

Strategies to combat depression

-- Expert psychological support

-- Maintaining contact with family and social environment to fight off loneliness

-- Active social life, healthy way of life, searching for ways of relaxation

-- Positive thought, maintaining self esteem and confidence in one's self

-- Confronting physical illnesses and functional disabilities as well as pressures

    - economic, social, psychological - that older people experience

-- Involvement in voluntary work mainly with social teams

-- Physical exercise

-- Participating in social events, creative expression

-- Good nutrition