Writing

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JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS | SEPTEMBER 2020

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Aging, Social Isolation, and Resilience: What Do We Need to Know? by Sandra Timmermann, EdD

Vol. 74, No. 5 | pp. 31-33

This issue of the Journal went to press in August 2020. Copyright © 2020, Society of Financial Service Professionals. All rights reserved.

ABSTRACT

Here’s a headline that catches our attention:

Researchers are warning that social isolation

can be as damaging to a person’s health as

smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Older persons

are particularly vulnerable, especially during

the time of coronavirus. On the other side of

the coin, older persons are known to be resil-

ient. They have lived a long life with its ups

and downs. Despite the pandemic, they are

able to look at the big picture and are taking

things in stride. Family members and finan-

cial service professionals have a role to play

in identifying those who may be feeling iso-

lated and lonely, and provide some support

that can make a difference in their lives.

Here’s a headline that catches our attention: Re- searchers are warning that social isolation can be as damaging to a person’s health as smoking 15 ciga- rettes a day.1 Older persons are particularly vulner- able, especially during the time of coronavirus. But even before COVID-19, psychologists and gerontol- ogists identified this as a growing problem for those over age 65. If unchecked, lack of social connected- ness can lead to a variety of health conditions, in- cluding heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, weakened immune systems, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, cognitive decline—and even death.2

Social Isolation: A Health Crisis Why is this the case? Older persons become lone-

ly or socially isolated for many reasons, though it’s important to point out that not everyone reacts this way. Their spouse dies and they no longer have a life companion. They lose a job and fall into depression. They retire and no longer have a focus for their lives. They are in poor health and are physically unable to get out. They live in an unsafe neighborhood and are afraid to venture outside. They can no longer drive or they live in a place with no public transportation, and feel powerless to leave their homes. They are aware (and perhaps fearful) of the risks of being infected by coronavirus and no longer meet friends and do the things they used to do.

More than one in four older persons lives alone,

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which can exacerbate the problem. Living alone in itself does not necessarily mean that people are lonely and socially isolated. Some who are living with oth- ers in a family, with an infirm spouse, or in group housing can exhibit symptoms of isolation and lone- liness too. It is a person’s negative attitude about be- ing alone—how lonely they feel—that leads to little social connectedness. Once a person is in this state of mind, their view of the world and how to interact in it changes too. They can become mistrustful and threatened by other people. According to researchers, social isolation can activate biological responses that lead to increased illness and premature death.3

Resilience: The Other Side of the Coin It may seem incongruous, but hand in hand with

studies of social isolation among older persons are studies of resilience and how that correlates with ag- ing. People who age well are socially engaged, man- age their feelings well, have a sense of purpose in their lives, and in doing so tend to be healthier and happi- er. The American Psychological Association defines resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even signif- icant sources of stress.”4 It turns out that, in general, older persons are resilient. And according to research- ers, they “…are capable of high resilience despite so- cioeconomic backgrounds, personal experiences, and declining health.”5

A good example of resilient individuals are the Holocaust survivors who, despite the horrific condi- tions, the brutality, and the fear they experienced, have gone on to live productive lives. They were psy- chologically strong, able to cope with their circum- stances, and had the ability to recover, still finding meaning in life. While not quite comparable, the ability to handle adversity is also true of so many older persons. Despite personal shocks, such as di- vorce, loss of a job, caregiving, economic hardship, and frailty, they remain resilient through it all. Being able to adapt and recover—being resilient—seems to be an integral part of aging well.

Happiness in Older Age Some ask if people are born with a predisposition

to being resilient and happy. Researchers have found some early indications that genetics do play a role in people’s overall happiness and well-being and how they choose to live their lives. A person’s environ- ment—their upbringing, their socioeconomic status, and other external factors—also can influence and determine how happy and fulfilled that person feels as they move into old age. The good news is that, by and large, as people age they tend to become happier and more content with their lives. Psychologists have conducted research about happiness in old age. Ac- cording to some, life offers us a U-shaped happiness curve. We are happy as children, less happy in mid- life, and happy again as we get older.

One reason is that older persons look at life dif- ferently than they did when they were younger. As people age, life’s time horizon becomes shorter and shorter. When they are young, they feel that they have infinite time ahead and have plenty of time to try new things, to go off in different directions. When they reach age 50 or so, however, they begin to realize that they are halfway through their lives (if they are lucky enough to live to be 100). Then their priorities shift. They start focusing on the things that are most important to them and spend time with the people who bring them joy and mean the most.

Older people also can put things into perspec- tive in a way that many younger people can’t. They have lived through the ups and downs of life, and can see the bigger picture. The little things don’t bother them as much, and they focus on the positive. They develop an emotional stability that is enhanced as they get older.

Social Isolation, Happiness, Resilience: Where Are We?

We have to remember that older persons are like any other population group. They are not all the same. They differ in their physical health, mental health, genetic predispositions, personalities, atti-

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Senior centers are a good source overall if informa- tion is needed or something is amiss. They provide information and referral, as well as other services, such as volunteer daily check-ins, Meals on Wheels, and other interventions if needed.

But don’t be quick to stereotype older clients and assume that every older person, even if living alone, is feeling lonely. They are most likely to be doing okay, but are probably missing human contact during the pandemic. Being empathetic, a good listener, and avail- able to talk more frequently can go a long way in solid- ifying a relationship, and also will be appreciated. 

Sandra Timmermann, EdD, is a nationally recognized ger- ontologist who focuses on aging, retirement, and the ap- plication to business. She was a vice president at MetLife and the founder and director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute from 1997–2013. Sandy is now consulting with fi- nancial services and other businesses interested in reach- ing the 50+ market and is representing the International Federation on Ageing at the United Nations. She is also serving as a senior fellow at the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, a member of the Academy of Home Equity in Financial Planning, and has been teaching ger- ontology at the American College of Financial Services. In the aging field for over 35 years, she has held executive positions with AARP, the American Society on Aging and SeniorNet, and has served on several national boards and commissions. She recently received the prestigious 2019 American Society on Aging Award for her contributions to advocacy, research, and administration in aging. A fre- quent speaker on retirement issues, she has been inter- viewed by hundreds of media outlets. Sandy received a BA from the University of Colorado and MA and EdD de- grees from Columbia University. She can be reached at [email protected].

(1) “The Loneliness Epidemic,” Health Resources and Services Administration (January 2019); accessed at: https://www.hrsa.gov/ enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic. (2) Ibid. (3) Ibid. (4) American Psychological Association, 2014. (5) Stephanie MacLeod et al., “The Impact of Resilience Among Older Adults,” Geriatric Nursing 37, no. 4 (July-August, 2016): 266-272.

tudes, and behaviors. There is no doubt that social isolation is very real for some older persons, and we are more aware of it during the pandemic when old- er persons are cut off from family and friends. Some otherwise healthy older persons can fall victim to social isolation too if they cut themselves off from society. But we also have come to recognize that other older persons are resilient, and despite the pandemic, are taking things in stride.

Families and those who provide services to old- er persons have an important role to play with those who are predisposed to depression and who feel lone- ly and isolated. Their interventions to help facilitate engagement, and connectivity with others (even if via Zoom), can make a big difference. Those who are aging well may be lonely at times too but are probably faring okay. Families should be tuned into their frustrations, making sure they are taking care of themselves and are not slipping into depression, overeating, or self-neglect. There are things that older persons can do as well to turn the glass half empty into the glass half full. It’s a mindset that can be en- couraged. Reaching out to friends, especially those who are alone; getting exercise; and picking up a fa- vorite hobby again can make a difference.

Implications for Financial Services Financial service professionals are on the front

lines with their older clients. Awareness of the poten- tial of loneliness and isolation is key. While advisors are not expected to be social workers or psychologists, they are in a good position to assess how their cli- ents are feeling about their lives and the trying times they are living through. Checking in more frequently with those they believe are suffering from social iso- lation may be one of the things they can do to help improve their clients’ general well-being. If advisors are worried about their client and have a relationship with the adult children, it could be helpful to set up a conversation with them and make sure they are aware of the possible psychological status of their parents.

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