Feeling lonely? You’re not alone.
Recent community needs assessments, conducted by local health, social care, and community planning organizations, show a common theme. Social isolation, loneliness, and a desire for greater community social cohesion, rank high among the needs expressed by southwest Michigan residents.
It’s a problem worth the collective community effort it will take to solve.
Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.
While the need to reduce social isolation and loneliness spans the age spectrum, seniors can be particularly vulnerable to social isolation and its negative health impacts. Conversely, people who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others tend to live longer, boost their mood, and have a sense of purpose. These activities seem to help maintain their well-being and may improve their cognitive function, studies show.
The Pew Research Center estimates 27 percent of U.S. adults ages 60 and over now live alone, which would equate to about more than 400,000 in Michigan, and 11,224 in Berrien County.
While many older adults have healthy social connections, a national survey by the University of Michigan found that 56 percent of those ages 50 through 80 felt isolated from others.
The community needs assessment respondents had ideas about how to reduce isolation and loneliness and increase social cohesion. They expressed a desire to feel more connected to community through more volunteer opportunities, increased adult and multi-generational education offerings, enjoyable public spaces, and more recreational opportunities, to name a few.
All good suggestions. However, some come with inherent barriers for seniors who are challenged, or unable, to leave their home. Technology combined with volunteer support became a social isolation barrier-buster for Millie, a local senior.
Minnie is one of many older adults to overcome technological learning hurdles and find joy in staying connected with use of innovative resources. At first, Minnie wasn’t sure she would be able to understand how to use a tablet, “Uhm, I’m not sure, this looks hard,” she’d say. But with encouragement from a Senior Companion volunteer who visits her weekly, Minnie became confident and now uses the tablet daily for games, music, and to connect with others. She loves the easy to read and understand screens and icons and especially enjoys playing games and connecting with others every day.
The tablet has opened up a new world for Minnie. Minnie now says, “I can do this!” to what previously was considered challenging. Every day Minnie plays games, which can lead to maintained or improved cognitive function, and increased social interact with others. Millie says, “I love the games,” and “Wow! This is fun.” Not only does the tablet bring recreational activities to Minnie’s fingertips, but she also reports her anxiety has gone down and her self-confidence has increased as a result. She frequently asks her Senior Companion if there is more she can do with the tablet and is ready to explore more ways to stay connected electronically.
Millie’s tablet was made possible through the generosity of a grant from the Berrien Community Foundation and the kindness of a Senior Companion Volunteer, a service funded in part by United Way of Southwest Michigan.
Together, volunteerism and technology support has made it possible for isolated, older adults like Millie to be able to learn a new skill, boost their self-esteem, and feel increasingly connected to the world around them. That’s a social-isolation reducing strategy worth expanding.
While the Berrien Community Foundation grant that funded Millie’s tablet has concluded, ongoing technology training for seniors, on a wide array of computer topics, continues at the Campus for Creative Aging. Call Amy at 269-982-7748 to learn more about upcoming computer classes.
If you’d like more information about becoming a Senior Companion volunteer or receiving the services of a Senior Companion, call Meg at (877) 660-2725.