HJNO Jan/Feb 2025

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JAN / FEB 2025 57 Melissa Brunvoll Marketing Director Assisted Living and Nursing Care Lambeth House • Promote social engagement: Health- care providers can encourage older adults to engage in community activi- ties by recommending senior-friendly social programs or volunteer oppor- tunities. • Foster family and caregiver connec- tions: Family members and caregivers play a crucial role in combating loneli- ness. Healthcare professionals should advise caregivers on strategies to en- gage loved ones in meaningful interac- tions and activities. • Utilize telehealth and improve digital literacy: The increasing use of technol- ogy in healthcare presents an opportu- nity to connect older adults with loved ones and healthcare providers. How- ever, many elderly individuals may not be familiar with digital tools. Providing training on how to use digital com- munication tools can empower older adults to maintain social connections, access support networks, and engage in virtual healthcare appointments. • Provide mental health support: Offer- ing counseling, therapy, and other in- terventions designed to address lone- liness can help older adults develop coping strategies. Healthcare provid- ers should also screen for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disor- ders that often accompany loneliness. • Encourage supportive living envi- ronments: Healthcare professionals should advocate for the development of senior-friendly living spaces that encourage social interaction. Assisted living communities, for example, can provide communal spaces and orga- nized activities to help foster connec- tions among residents. Loneliness among older adults is a public health crisis with profound implications on physical, mental, and emotional health. By prioritizing social connection and promoting well-being, healthcare professionals can help older adults lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Addressing loneliness is not just about improving the quality of life for older adults; it is about enhancing their overall health and well-being, which ultimately will benefit society as a whole. n REFERENCES 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.” 2023 (Accessed November 27, 2024). https:// www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-gener- al-social-connection-advisory.pdf 2 Cacioppo, J.T.; Hawkley, L.C. “Social Isolation and Health, with an Emphasis on Underlying Mechanisms.” Perspectives in Biology and Medi- cine 46, no. 3 supplement (Summer 2003): 39- 52. DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2003.0063 3 Cacioppo, J.T.; Hawkley, L.C.; Crawford, L.E.; et al. “Loneliness and Health: Potential Mecha- nisms.” Psychosomatic Medicine 64, no. 3 (May- June 2002): 407-17. DOI: 10.1097/00006842- 200205000-00005 4 Perissinotto, C.M.; Cenzer, I.S.; Covinsky, K.E. “Loneliness in Older Persons: A Predictor of Functional Decline and Death.” JAMA Internal Medicine 172, no. 14 (July 23, 2012): 1078-1084. DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.1993 5 Wilkinson, R.; Marmot, M. “Social determinants of health: the solid facts, 2nd ed.” WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2003. https://iris.who.int/han- dle/10665/326568 Melissa Brunvoll graduated from Tulane University with a BA in communications and Spanish. She is one of the marketing directors at Lambeth House, specializing in assisted living and nursing care. She has over five years’ experience in the senior care industry, and prior to joining the Lambeth House team, she worked in the hospitality industry as an operations manager for Marriott International. Recognizing the signs of loneliness Healthcare professionals are in a unique position to identify loneliness in older adults and offer interventions. However, loneliness can sometimes be difficult to recognize because many individuals may not openly express feelings of isolation or sadness. Some common signs of loneliness in older adults include: • Decline in physical health: Older adults who are lonely may experience more frequent hospitalizations, a de- cline in mobility, or chronic health is- sues that are exacerbated by isolation. • Changes in behavior: Withdrawal from social activities, reluctance to en- gage with others, or a loss of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies can signal loneliness. • Mental health changes: Symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, or cognitive decline can be indicative of loneliness. • Poor self-care: An older adult who is experiencing loneliness may neglect their personal hygiene, nutrition, or general health maintenance, further deteriorating their physical and emo- tional well-being. Addressing loneliness in older adults Given the significant impact of loneliness on the health of older adults, it is essential for healthcare professionals to prioritize strategies to address this issue. The surgeon general’s advisory suggests several approaches to mitigate loneliness and promote social connection: