2023-08-19 07:00:00
In France, more than 300,000 elderly people live alone. This observation is all the more worrying as situations of isolation can have serious consequences on the physical and mental health of seniors.
According to a recent study conducted by the Fondation de France, nearly one in four seniors (i.e. around 25%) would be in a situation of social isolation, i.e. around three million people. The phenomenon of isolation affects women more than men, who are often faced with a retirement marked by financial precariousness and unsuitable housing. Widows and widowers also represent a significant proportion of isolated elderly people.
What are the causes of this isolation?
Several factors can explain the growing loneliness of seniors in France:
The decrease in the number of social contacts : with age, opportunities to meet become rarer and the circle of friends tends to shrink.
The loss of autonomy : this can lead to dependence on others and withdrawal into oneself.
Death of spouse or close family members : these events can accentuate isolation and destabilize family balance.
The departure of the children : following leaving the family home, contact with the children can become rare and leave a significant emotional void.
For some seniors, living alone does not necessarily mean being isolated. However, when isolation becomes suffered, it creates moral suffering which can lead to physical disorders such as the onset of anxiety or depression.
The harmful consequences of loneliness on the health of seniors and possible solutions
In addition to the psychological consequences mentioned earlier, loneliness can also harm the physical health of older people. Indeed, living alone increases the risk of accidental falls, malnutrition and physical inactivity. Moreover, without social support, seniors are more exposed to problems related to medical care and access to care. Faced with this worrying reality, several initiatives have emerged to try to combat the isolation of seniors:
Home help devices : these services help the elderly with their daily activities (cleaning, meals, shopping, etc.) and help maintain social ties.
Retirement homes and nursing homes : by offering collective activities and meeting spaces, these establishments encourage exchanges between residents and offer a secure environment adapted to the needs of seniors.
Volunteering : many associations offer seniors the opportunity to engage in solidarity actions that allow them to forge new links and exchange with other people.
Intergenerational workshops : these initiatives promote meetings between young people and seniors, thus helping to break isolation and create social ties.
See as well
Promote the maintenance of social ties to prevent loneliness
To fight effectively once morest the isolation of seniors, it is essential to put in place actions to maintaining social ties and preventing loneliness from the start of retirement. For this, several devices can be considered:
The creation of reception and meeting places for seniors (clubs, associations, social centres, etc.). The development of cultural, sporting or leisure activities adapted to the elderly. The encouragement of civic participation and associative commitment.
Finally, we must not neglect the important role that relatives (family, friends, neighbours, etc.) can play in supporting and accompanying isolated elderly people. It is up to everyone to become aware of this reality and to work, at their level, to fight once morest the loneliness of seniors.
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