TORONTO, March 7, 2024 – The first-of-their-kind clinical guidelines surrounding social isolation and loneliness in older adults have been developed and released by the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH) with the leadership of Dr. David Conn, Vice-President Education, Baycrest Academy for Research & Education.
Loneliness among Older Adults
It is critical that the growing rates of loneliness and social isolation are addressed as they can impact both physical and mental well-being. In fact, the increased risk of death associated with social isolation and loneliness is comparable to that of smoking 15 cigarettes per day. They are also associated with an increased risk of diseases such as stroke and heart disease and a greater risk of anxiety, depression and dementia.
How to Overcome Loneliness
The Canadian Clinical Guidelines on Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults provides health care and social service professionals with 17 evidence-based recommendations that should be considered including prevention, screening and assessment for older adults. These tools will help professionals in supporting older adults who may be at risk of, or are already experiencing, social isolation and loneliness.
These newly released clinical guidelines address the growing loneliness epidemic. While Canadians of all ages are affected, older adults are particularly at risk due to circumstances and changes associated with aging such as lack of energy, often living alone and living with physical limitations. Contributing factors that are associated with aging include transitional life events such as retirement, the death of family or friends or changes in living arrangements.
Overcoming Loneliness Together
However, these are not an inevitable part of aging and the health impacts of social isolation and loneliness require a comprehensive approach involving the older adult themselves, healthcare providers, community organizations and policymakers. We can work together to address the risk older adults experience disproportionately by strengthening social connections, which has been linked to decreased disability and premature death.
The good news is that even small increases in social connection have been linked to improvements in physical and mental health. Released along with the clinical guidelines are new resources to support older adults and care partners nationwide.
These guidelines were developed and researched by an interdisciplinary working group consisting of leading subject matter experts in the study of social isolation and loneliness among older adults from coast to coast. Over the course of a year and a half, group members offered their clinical, research and professional expertise, evaluating research evidence, voting on recommendations and writing the guidelines, which can be found at CCSMH.ca
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