June 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 40

INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTION
The risk of social isolation and
loneliness persists, as the National
Institute on Aging warns that humans
tend to spend more time alone
as they age (tinyurl.com/b5r7vbwd).
Undoubtedly, recreation professionals
are working hard to combat the
risks associated with social isolation.
How does one recognize social isolation
and loneliness in people, especially
older adults, and what is the
antidote? Bridging gaps in programming
to allow a wide range of ages to
come together and connect can be at
the heart of the solution.
Defining the Issue
What exactly is social isolation?
The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023
Advisory (tinyurl.com/bde9u7ne)
defines social isolation as " objectively
having few social relationships,
social roles, group memberships,
and infrequent
social
interaction. " This reality could be
based not only on one's preferences,
but also on outside factors limiting
one's ability to experience social
connection frequently. Living
alone in a one-person household is
an example of social isolation that
typically occurs in older adults.
The Administration on Community
Living's Profile of Older Americans:
2017 (tinyurl.com/5e5jc28r)
highlighted that 20 percent of men
and 34 percent of women 65 and
older were living alone, with a small
percentage of 3.1 percent living in
institutional settings. The proportions
of living alone amplify as age
increases to 75 years old - for example,
almost 45 percent of women
75 and older live alone. The loss of
one's spouse or partner tends to be
a factor as the proportion of older
adults living with a partner decreases
with age. Factors such as living
alone, loss of family or friends, or
chronic health issues can contribute
to one's level of social isolation by
decreasing one's ability to socialize
and make connections.
It would be remiss to discuss social
isolation without mentioning
the impact of loneliness. Loneliness
is " a subjective distressing experience
that results from perceived
isolation or inadequate meaningful
connections, where
inadequate
refers to the discrepancy or unmet
need between an individual's
preferred and actual experience. "
While in a state of loneliness, one
experiences a feeling of pain - or
" social pain " as the World Health
Organization's (WHO) definition
mentions (tinyurl.com/3bfp6dve).
Loneliness
is
not
about
being
alone, but instead longing for a
social connection that is not experienced.
Can one experience loneliness
without social isolation? Yes,
and vice versa. While one can live
alone and not experience loneliness,
another can be surrounded
by people and not meet their social
needs, thus feeling the pain of loneliness.
However, the combination
of social isolation and loneliness
is widespread, painful and harmful
for mental and physical health.
Health Detriments
Research reflects how harmful social
isolation and loneliness can be
to various age ranges, specifically
older adults. Some of the most
negative impacts on this population
include an increase in disease,
rapid
decline
in mental health,
loss of purpose and disconnection
from the very things that enhance
joy. In his 2023 Advisory, " Our
Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation "
(tinyurl.com/bde9u7ne), the
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H.
Murthy mentions the mortality impact
of being socially disconnected
is similar to that caused by smok40
Parks & Recreation | JUNE 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
ing up to 15 cigarettes a day and
even more significant than that associated
with obesity and physical
inactivity. Murthy goes on to note
that the harmful consequences of
a society lacking social connection
can be felt in our schools, workplaces
and civic organizations,
where performance, productivity
and engagement are diminished.
In addition, the CDC mentions
that social isolation in older adults
increases the risk of dementia by 50
percent, heart disease by 29 percent
and the chance of stroke by 32
percent (tinyurl.com/nxekryv3).
These negative health outcomes
prompted the launch of the WHO
Commission on Social Connection
(tinyurl.com/2sf94fsr)
in
2023.
" High rates of social isolation and
loneliness around the world have
serious consequences for health and
well-being. People without enough
strong social connections are at higher
risk of stroke, anxiety, dementia,
depression, suicide and more, "
according to WHO Director-General
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
(tinyurl.com/5bmr2d7a).
The
commission's focus for 2024 to 2026
will be addressing loneliness as a
pressing health threat, promoting
social connection as a priority
and accelerating the scaling up of
solutions in countries of all incomes.
It is not too late to start the necessary
steps to alleviate social isolation and
loneliness.
Intergenerational
Connection
Following the pandemic, older
adult recreation centers are seeing
a greater increase in participation
in social activities, physical
activity and more involvement
in
educational and cultural activities.
Some centers are seeing
levels of participation that reflect
http://tinyurl.com/b5r7vbwd http://tinyurl.com/nxekryv3 http://tinyurl.com/3bfp6dve http://tinyurl.com/bde9u7ne http://tinyurl.com/2sf94fsr http://tinyurl.com/5bmr2d7a http://tinyurl.com/5e5jc28r http://tinyurl.com/bde9u7ne
June 2024 – Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2024 – Parks & Recreation
