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Human beings are wired for social connection, but millions of people confront isolation every day.
Many of those people are seniors who lose contact with loved ones as time goes by.
While temporary loneliness can be tolerated, prolonged isolation can be very harmful.
Research by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found roughly one-quarter of American adults age 65 and older live in isolation. Identifying the early warning signs of isolation may help to prevent the physiological and psychological toll isolation can take.
Here are some signs of social isolation to watch for.
• Withdrawal from events: An early indicator of social isolation, according to Healthline, is a pattern of canceling plans, not answering phone calls, and withdrawing from established social circles or hobbies.
• Self-care is not prioritized: Another sign of social isolation is personal hygiene and other self-care habits like eating nutritious meals becomes neglected.
It can signal that a person’s routine has changed due to a lack of social accountability.
• Home upkeep falters: A person who is withdrawing from social connections may feel it’s no longer necessary to keep a home clean and tidy since they don’t anticipate visitors.
• Irritability and low mood: Persistent isolation can trigger a sense of hopelessness. Individuals may become defensive or experience dramatic shifts in mood and sleep patterns, according to Healthline.
• Reliance on social media or television: Socially isolated individuals may turn to television or non-interactive social media scrolling as a proxy for human interaction, offers HealthDirect.