Regan Roderigues

Put that in your pipe and smoke it: Consequences of loneliness as we age 

Increased risk of heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline—what do these describe? Health consequences of social isolation. Specifically for older adults. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 25% of adults 65 and older are socially isolated. When one loses a spouse through death or divorce or when that spouse is unreachable from illness, loneliness is felt. Seniors whose friends have passed away or whose lives are disconnected from their families understand loneliness. Social isolation and loneliness were common prior to the pandemic; however, during and post-COVID the issue has blossomed.

Typically, advisories from the surgeon general are reserved for public health emergencies. For the first time ever, one has been issued to highlight the concern of loneliness. In May of this year, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy stated, “Loneliness is far more than a bad feeling. Unless we take serious steps to address it, we will further retreat to our corners— angry, sick, and alone.”

Is it not fair to say we live disconnectedly in a connected world, surrounded by people but not interacting on a real level? Though imperative to an evolving, modern society, technology has played a big role in exacerbating the problem of loneliness. In an era of telehealth visits, online shopping (must admit— I do A LOT of that), banking, and more, the need to leave our four walls has decreased dramatically. Coupled with the lingering fear of COVID, many older adults think twice before leaving the house at all.

With that statement, the issue is twofold. Seniors either do not have the skills to utilize technology or are desperately in need of face-to-face interaction. The problem is not just in the U.S., other countries are taking a stab at dealing with a lonely population in various ways.

According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, primary care providers are exploring the value of Social Prescriptions for patients, targeting the social needs of patients through non-drug interventions. For example, physicians in Montreal can now prescribe a trip to the museum for patients who might benefit from a day spent admiring fine art. Nicole Parent, director general of Médecins francophones du Canada says, “We strongly believe that this exposure to art will help alleviate symptoms and anxiety.”

Participating physicians can prescribe free museum admission for a patient and 3 family members. Studies have shown that art therapy can improve the emotional well-being in patients. In 2018, a Minister of Loneliness was appointed in the United Kingdom after the government identified social isolation as a health priority and included funding to address it. The government’s Tackling Loneliness Network has launched multiple projects to help the country tackle loneliness including the Connection Coalition’s Loneliness Advice chatbot service on WhatsApp.

The service enables people feeling lonely to simply message the app to access information and resources. In Japan, 28% of the population is over 65—the highest in the world. That percentage poses numerous challenges for policymakers, but social isolation is a problem that is hard for government-led programs to address.

According to their experts, community-driven initiatives rolled out to suit local conditions have proved successful. In the town of Taketoyo (about 165 miles from Tokyo) “salons” have been set up around the community to provide physical exercises and enjoyable social activities like poetry writing and recreational games. The municipal government supported the initiative by providing meeting space, financial assistance, and publicity.

Similar activity hubs known as “community cafes” have sprung up around Japan. About a third of participants reported feeling happier, while they also enjoyed meeting new friends and learning health tips, a survey found.

In the United States, Age-friendly States and Communities are becoming more wide-spread. The focus on age-friendly communities began with the World Health Organization in 2010. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) joined with WHO, with the goal of implementing policies, services, and structures related to helping seniors “age actively,” enabling seniors to live safely, enjoy good health, and stay involved in their community.

In Massachusetts alone, there are 115 age-friendly communities that have adopted an Age-Friendly Plan and 230 communities are working toward it. The ones who are the most successful take community feedback seriously.

Thankfully, the beautiful town of Duxbury is already laying the groundwork to implement a *base of fire* at loneliness on a local level (after watching "Band of Brothers" recently, I have been inserting military terms in my daily life).

First formed during the pandemic as Pea Pods, the Duxbury Senior Center (my home away from home) created an initiative to address the concern about the social isolation of our older population. Small groups of seniors regularly and safely connected in-person during a time in which many were unable to do so. Following the success of Pea Pods, the Circle of Friends program was launched. The group meets twice a month and focuses on conversation circles and social time. The intention is for folks to meet and create bonds within a facilitated environment. The program has proven hugely popular with an average of 35 participants showing up each time.

Led by Carol Boudrieau (DSC Pea Pod program coordinator who retired last year and now works for free), this program has proven how many are affected by loneliness and disconnection in our small part of the world.

“For me, the ah-ha moment in Pea Pods was witnessing how connected participants became during conversation circles. They enjoyed sharing and reminiscing—embracing the opportunities to share this way,” said Boudrieau.

As the population in Duxbury ages, the Duxbury Senior Center and the Town of Duxbury have taken on the task of ensuring that the community is livable and inclusive for people of all ages. As a first step, residents were surveyed to determine what would make the town more age-friendly. The answer: Focus on housing, transportation, and mental health.

“We don’t know what our plan in Duxbury will look like yet,” says Age-Friendly Task Force member, Brooke McDonough, “but we have had tremendous support from the community and town officials. Duxbury is committed to doing what it takes to be a town where people can live well and age well.”

The detrimental impact of loneliness has been equated to the impact of smoking. In 1964, the Surgeon General’s first report on smoking and health was released. It was a turning point in the understanding of the impact of tobacco use on the health of the American people. Can Murthy’s report do the same for loneliness?

Social isolation comes at a price: it is associated with roughly $6.7 billion in additional healthcare costs annually among Medicare beneficiaries and contributes to poor health outcomes, including a 50 percent increased risk of early mortality.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise from 16 percent to 23 percent.

It is essential we address these health consequences for the aging population. Not only do our elders deserve to be taken care of, but wouldn’t the younger generations hope for assistance and compassion, too?