Social Isolation

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Isolation is more than being alone. It’s the result of feeling detached physically or psychologically, or being disconnected from support groups of family, friends and community. The health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The following resources provide an overview of isolation among seniors and things you can do to to be more engaged in the community.

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About Isolation: Information from Connect2Affect, an excellent online resource from the AARP Foundation and the Gerontological Society of America. The site includes a self-assessment and a tool to sign up for text reminders to keep in touch with loved ones.

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Expand Your Circles: Prevent Isolation and Loneliness As You Age. We need social connection to thrive—no matter our age—but recent research shows that the negative health consequences of chronic isolation and loneliness may be especially harmful for older adults. An online brochure from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

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Isolation is often associated with depression. To learn more about depression visit the Mental Health page on this site.

 

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Two ways to deal with isolation if you live in Falmouth.

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Become a member of the Falmouth Senior Center

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Become a volunteer at Neighborhood Falmouth

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