James Perry

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• James Perry
• Lisa Hoffarth
• Pam Altepeter

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Social Isolation

• Objective measure of social interaction
• Objective state relating to the number of
  contacts and interaction between an older person
  and his or her social network

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• Social Isolation Leaves Elderly at Risk for Heart
  Trouble
  
• The Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness on
  the Health of Older Women
  
• Alleviating Loneliness Among Older People- Who
  Benefits?

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Social Isolation leaves Elderly at Risk for Heart
Trouble

• Lack of emotional support and lack of
  companionship or social support can leave elderly
  vulnerable to heart problems
  
• Having just one person around for emotional
  support seemed to be enough to reduce the risk of
  heart disease

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The Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness on
the Health of Older Women

• Women are vulnerable to higher levels of
  loneliness in part because women often outlive
  spouses, friends and family who previously
  provided social and emotional support
• Those who are socially isolated may be more
  likely to experience declines in health status
  because they may be at risk for decreased
  activity, poor nutrition, decreased mental
  stimulation and may lack awareness of their
  health conditions

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Alleviating Loneliness Among Older People-Who
Benefits?

• Social isolation and loneliness have been
  perceived as a problem of old age
  
• The majority of elderly people do not consider
  themselves lonely
  
• Reduced social contact, loneliness, and isolation
  are causes for a decrease in the quality of older
  peoples lives
  

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Causes of Social Isolation

• Various illnesses
• Reduced or removal from social networks
• Moving out of their homes and into nursing homes
  or other managed care facilities
  
• Death

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Group Project
Befriending the elderly and helping them dye eggs
since Easter was so close
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What we did

• Our group interacted with six residents at Villa
  St. Vincent Nursing Home in Crookston
  
• Participating residents were confined to
  wheelchairs
  
• Dye and other materials were supplied
• Decorated 49 eggs
• Lasted about one hour

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Ways to alleviate loneliness

• Social/group activities
• Befriending
• Home visiting
• Community support
• Eating together
• Advice and information
• Exercise and physical activities
• Support groups
• Counseling
• Requesting feedback

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Reflecting on the Project

• What we learned
• How the team worked together
• Changes if we were to redo the project