Loneliness: Causes, Effects, and Ways to Combat It
According to the National Institute on Aging, the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Social isolation and loneliness have even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as many as 15 years.
Ellen Houle and Beth Morley, Care Coordinators with Friends Life Care cover the causes, effects, and ways to combat loneliness. In addition, they discuss insights gleaned from Friends Life Care members about loneliness and ways our organization is dealing with the issue.
Ellen is a licensed occupational therapist with more than seven years working with older adults. She has worked in a variety of settings including homecare, hospice, short term rehabilitation facilities and retirement communities. She earned her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University and Executive Certification in Home Modifications from The University of Southern California.
Ellen values the importance of a well-rounded and proactive approach to healthcare. In her free time, Ellen is an avid cyclist and drummer, playing in multiple bands in the greater Philadelphia area.
Beth holds a Master of Social Work degree and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and has 25 years of experience in public and private positions with a background in case management systems, long-term care coordination and program development.
Previously, Beth worked for nine years with refugees and immigrants in emergency services, program management and community-based social services. She also was employed as a clinical social worker in a skilled nursing facility and spent two years coordinating community-based services for older adults in Virginia.
Resources:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/staying-...
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/191/17/E476
https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy...
https://www.nia.nih.gov/ctctoolkit
https://www.friendslifecare.org/about...
/ elizabeth-morley-msw-9749b8109
https://www.friendslifecare.org/about...
https://pennmemorycenter.org/programs...
AARP Community Programs:
https://www.aging.pa.gov/local-resour...
https://www.pcacares.org/
https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Inde...
https://www.ncoa.org/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/
Introduction and Theme Music - 0:00
Introduction to "Honestly Aging" Podcast - 0:22
Introducing Ellen and Beth - 1:03
Discussion on Loneliness Begins - 3:05
Beth Discusses Research on Loneliness - 3:37
Ellen Adds Insights from AARP and Other Studies - 6:02
Risk Factors for Loneliness - 7:21
Additional Risk Factors and Impact - 10:06
Beth Discusses the Importance of Awareness - 15:39
Contributing Factors to Loneliness - 16:30
Beth Provides Examples of Contributing Factors - 17:05
Ellen Reflects on Isolating Patterns - 24:19
Beth Adds Insights on Overcoming Isolation - 30:24
Advertisement - 33:33
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Initiatives - 34:18
Random Acts of Kindness Project - 36:05
Difference Between Loneliness and Isolation - 40:00
Strategies to Work Through Loneliness - 46:03
Ways to Increase Your Social Network and Support System - 50:00
Insights from Member Experiences with Loneliness - 1:03:05
Friends Life Care's Approach to Addressing Loneliness - 1:06:59
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