The Effects of Loneliness on the Aged: A Review

Social support has been shown to have many positive effects on our lives, health, and ability to grow and flourish. Lack, or diminished social support results in loneliness. This thematic review focuses on the elderly, and the loneliness that is part of the life of many of them. The review highlights the social connections and the expectations that the elderly may have of them, and how being connected to others may alleviate, loneliness. Loneliness is known to negatively affect one’s health, social life, familial relationships, and feelings, and their effect on the elderly is described. We all yearn for social support, and the review examines what are the elderly’s expectations from their social support network. Expectations which will significantly affect their commitment to that network, and feeling fulfilled by it. The review concludes with a focus on successful aging and how they can control and minimize their loneliness and feelings of isolation.