Dementia Social Isolation: How Can You Help?

Social isolation can result from various factors, such as anxiety, depression, or other illnesses that prevent individuals from wanting to deal with social situations. Some individuals use social isolation to cope with stress resulting from human interaction. Social isolation and dementia are often co-related, as one can lead to the other. Some individuals with dementia prefer to socially isolate themselves as their thought process and inability to communicate change with the illness. On the other hand, social isolation can also lead to an increased risk of dementia.

According to a recent Johns Hopkins study referred to in an NPR article, socially isolated older adults have a 27 percent higher chance of developing dementia. A senior author of the study at Johns Hopkins explained that social connections matter for cognitive health. Therefore, a lack of social connections can affect one’s cognitive functioning.

It’s important to understand the relationship between dementia and social isolation to offer your loved one the help they need. Learn more about the impact of social isolation on older adults with dementia below.

What is Social Isolation?

Social isolation is a lack of social connections and the urge to limit engagement with others. Some factors that prevent people from engaging with others are disabilities, long-term illness, unemployment, and low self-confidence.

The dementia care specialists at Sagecare know how to identify the relationship between social isolation and dementia to help residents. Our specialized staff are equipped with the knowledge and tools to understand the factors contributing to social isolation, allowing them to assist seniors better. If your loved one is socially isolating and displaying signs of dementia, reach out to our team to better understand the situation.

What Causes Social Isolation?

Many factors can contribute to social isolation. Get familiar with the most common causes below.

Mental Illness

Social isolation and dementia often go hand-in-hand because of a mental illness. For instance, an older adult with dementia may start experiencing symptoms of dementia. One of the most common signs overlapping between dementia and depression is social isolation, as both illnesses can result in the urge to withdraw socially.

According to Science Daily, “social isolation is directly linked with changes in the brain structures associated with memory, making it a clear risk factor for dementia.” In addition, individuals with dementia may also experience social isolation when they feel lonely or unable to communicate with others.

Upset senior man sitting in bed — *Credit: Drazen Zigic Via* *Freepik*

Loss of Close One

When older adults experience a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, they may feel the urge to disconnect from social situations, resulting in social isolation. This can eventually lead to dementia or cause other mental health problems, such as depression.

Lack of Mobility

Dementia and social isolation may also connect through a lack of mobility. When an individual’s physical abilities are limited due to dementia, they may begin to withdraw socially. This involves the inability to drive or walk independently, causing them to cancel plans.

Financial Constraints

Seniors with dementia sometimes experience financial constraints due to job loss or limited ability to manage finances. This can often lead to a lack of confidence, resulting in social isolation. In addition, seniors with dementia may also be more vulnerable to fraud or scams due to a lack of awareness about major financial issues. According to the National Institute of Aging, scam susceptibility may signal a risk for cognitive decline.

Signs of Social Isolation

Once you’ve learned about the potential causes of dementia social isolation, it’s important to identify the signs to help your loved one.

Limited Phone Communication

One of the first signs of dementia social isolation is limited phone communication. If your loved one is avoiding your phone calls or text, they may be trying to avoid a social situation that could cause stress. Consider checking up on them in person when you cannot connect digitally.

Frequently Cancelling Plans

When an individual is experiencing dementia social isolation, they may frequently cancel plans and distance themselves from social situations. This could involve plans with friends, families, or even intimate dinner gatherings. You may find them eating in their room or staying home when everyone in the family dines out.

Closeup of senior looking at phone — *Credit: Drazen Zigic Via* *Freepik*

Changes in Personal Hygiene or Appearance

A senior withdrawing from social situations may not feel the need to take care of their personal hygiene or appearance. On the other hand, a lack of interest in personal hygiene or appearance can result in social isolation as they want to avoid appearing in social situations.

The key to offering support during dementia social isolation situations is by looking into specialized dementia care. Our qualified team at Sagecare consistently looks for positive ways to approach dementia care to help our residents feel safe and secure. We encourage seniors at our residence to communicate and engage in meaningful activities, which is highly beneficial for their mental and physical health.

How to Prevent Social Isolation in Dementia Patients

It can be challenging to convince your loved one experiencing dementia social isolation to partake in social gatherings frequently, but you can try to prevent extensive social isolation.

Choose a Suitable Environment

Certain environmental factors can cause seniors with dementia to withdraw from social situations. When trying to understand the correlation between dementia and social isolation, observe the environments where the individual seems to feel stressed or eager to leave. This can often include unfamiliar places with confusing sign boards, noisy areas, or distracting lights.

Once you’ve identified the leading cause, change the environment, and choose a different setting for social gatherings. Consider a familiar place, like their old home or favorite restaurant and visit during less busy hours.

Create A Therapeutic Plan

Create a therapeutic plan that will assist in achieving your loved one’s therapeutic goals. Therapeutic Recreation is a process that uses recreation and leisure activities to bring favorable changes in the persons served. This process will help identify your loved ones needs and help to engage in programs that will decrease social isolation and enhance their quality of life.

Encourage Participation in Previous Interests

Seniors with dementia tend to lose interest in activities they previously used to enjoy, but encouraging them to pursue their previous interests can help them stay social. For example, if they like golfing with their friends, invite their friends and encourage them to participate in their previous interests.

*Credit: Wiroj Sidhisoradej Via* *Freepik*

Help Them Feel Useful and Increase Their Self Esteem

Encourage your loved one to do something that reinforces a past role, enabling them to feel a sense of usefulness. A great way to do this is by creating a nursing plan for social isolation related to dementia. Consult our team of experts to learn more about dementia care planning and its many benefits. We can create a plan that best suits your loved one’s life and include activities that help them feel useful and encourage them to maintain a routine. This can include creating crafts with the family, gardening, or hanging out clothes. There are different ways to help your loved one feel a sense of achievement that may help them feel more interested in social activities.

Providing tasks and activities that focus on your loved one’s strengths will increase their self-esteem. Capitalize on their strengths at this stage of their lives and create individual programs and tasks that will give them fulfillment and increase their self-esteem. Your loved one will be more inclined to participate in a program that they will excel in.

Learn How Sagecare Can Help

Witnessing your loved one experience dementia social isolation can be challenging, but the good news is that help is available. Reach out to Sagecare to learn how to identify the causes and signs of social isolation and the best ways to help your loved one stay connected.

The Impact of Social Isolation on Dementia Patients