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Understandingly, some have loss of adequate care for the elderly can help States faces physical, cultural, and/or
family or friends, some loss of jobs, prevent this isolation. For the elderly geographical barriers that isolate them
financial security or social supports living home alone, phone calls and visits from their peers and communities.

or even time. I am asking you to write are a critical part of social connecting. This isolation can prevent them from

about your experiences during these Also, seniors may find attending medical receiving benefits and services that can
times and mail it to me at Carole Friend adult day care the answer for many improve their economic security and
c/o CMADC, 403 S. 7th St., Denton, MD issues such as the need for ongoing care their ability to live healthy, independent
21629. You may remain anonymous. and the desire for companionship and lives.
I promise you I will read your stories. social connection.
In this time of uncharted challenges
In this time of safe distancing and A statement such as “Loneliness causes we may be asked to utilize our deeply
self-isolation, staying home and even high blood pressure” may surprise you, profound personal resources such as
self-quarantine, it becomes diffi cult for however a study in Psychology and courage, perseverance, and altruism.
many to stay connected. There are a Aging indicated a direct relationship As we continue to practice our social
number of ways to stay connected with between loneliness in older adults and roles, whether being frontliners,
others such as phone calls, internet, increases in systolic blood pressure over support service workers, or community
video chats, or social media. Even things the course of four years. Researchers supporters staying home and practicing
like taking a walk or just bird watching suggest that the early interventions for safe physical distancing, we recognize
keeps us connected with nature. We can loneliness may be key to prevent both that we are in this together. Our family
practice safe physical distancing while the isolation and associated health risks. at Caroline Medical Adult Day Care is
remaining social. It is important to have looking forward to the resurgence of our
Loneliness in seniors is a major risk
connections with others. It holds true community and a celebratory reunion.
factor for depression. Numerous
that staying connected to others will Stay connected.
studies have shown that feeling lonely
reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness.
is associated with more depressive If you have any questions regarding
Portions of our community are aff ected symptoms in both middle-aged Caroline Medical Adult Day Care, please
in special ways such as our elderly and older adults. It is important to contact the Center at 410-479-8065.
population which is more vulnerable recognize those feelings of loneliness,
to isolation and its effects. Isolation for isolation or depression and seeking

seniors increases the risk of mortality treatment. Stress, anxiety, loneliness,
while having less of a network to prompt isolation and other depression like
medical attention. Feelings of isolation feelings are common reactions related
and loneliness can negatively aff ect both to critical times. Asking for help is
physical and mental health. Feelings fundamental. Momentarily view the
of loneliness or perceived loneliness list of HELPLINES at the closing of this
contribute to cognitive decline and risk article for appropriate contacts you may
dementia. Additionally, social isolation find helpful. If you are unable to fi nd

makes seniors more vulnerable to elder what you need, call the Maryland 211 ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
abuse. Many studies show a correlation information line. ĂŝůLJ ĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ
between social isolation and high rates
Socially isolated seniors are more RN on Call
of elder abuse. Researchers aren’t certain
pessimistic about the future. According
whether isolated adults are more likely ,ŽŵĞ ŽŽŬĞĚ DĞĂůƐ͕
to the National Council on Aging, ^ŶĂĐŬƐ Θ ĞǀĞƌĂŐĞƐ
to fall victim to abuse or abusers are
socially isolated seniors are more likely
attempting to isolate the elders from >ĂƵŶĚƌLJ Θ ,ŽƵƐĞŬĞĞƉŝŶŐ
to predict their quality of life will get
others. Nevertheless, critical strategies >ŝĐĞŶƐĞĚ ƚŽ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ
worse over the next five to ten years,
for reducing elder abuse are speaking up ĂƌĞ ĨŽƌ >ĞǀĞůƐ ϭ͕Ϯ͕ϯ
are more concerned about needing
and staying socially connected. DĞŵŽƌLJ ĂƌĞ
help from community programs as
Furthermore, social isolation in seniors they get older, and are more likely to ^ƉĞĐŝĂů ŝĞƚ Θ ŝŶŝŶŐ ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ
is linked to long-term illness. The express concerns about aging in place. WŽƐƚͲƌĞŚĂďŝůŝƚĂƟŽŶ WĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉƐ
Journal of Health and Social Behavior Community-based programs such as ǁŝƚŚ ŽĐƚŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ dŚĞƌĂƉŝƐƚƐ
reports that prolonged isolation can be medical adult day care, are critical in ĂŶĚ ŵƵĐŚ ŵŽƌĞ͘͘͘
as bad for one’s health as smoking 15 helping ward off potential problems www.arcadia-living.com
cigarettes per day. Studies show illnesses and improving the quality of life for
and conditions such as chronic lung older people. Arcadia of Denton
disease, arthritis, impaired mobility, 701 S. 5th Ave
Physical and geographic isolation (Formerly Gables at Caroline)
and more, were associated with social
oft en leads to social isolation. One in
isolation. Unsurprisingly, ensuring Come Home to Arcadia
six seniors living alone in the United
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