090926 ~ Staying Connected: Why Social Health Matters as We Age - Dr. Namita Yende

0:00Staying connected, why social health matters especially as we age. This is our A Healthier Michigan report from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan today with Dr. Namita Yende from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Dr. Yende, what are the physical health risks associated with loneliness or social isolation? Something that a lot of people as we age fall into that category. Either your friends are dying off or you just don't get around like you used to and you're not into all the social activities you used to do. How is that a detriment to your life? Lizzie Ann, thanks for having me to talk about this important question. Because previously we used to think that social connection really is just part of emotional experiences. But now we are realizing that it is more related to overall health and you nailed it. That as we age, changes happen like retirement, loss of loved ones, mobility changes or even yearning and vision changes that make it difficult to stay connected.

1:10So when we talk about healthy aging, staying socially connected along with eating well, moving our bodies and keeping up with preventive care is right up there. So it is really, really important. I was reading your post about this on the Blue Cross website. We're going to give that address in just a moment. But I was struck by the fact that you cited national surveys that show that one in three adults over age 50 report feeling lonely. And that that number has actually increased over the past 10 years. Why do you think we've seen more and more people feeling that way? So I think people feel that there is a distinction that we need to think about is like, you know, oh, they feel that even like, you know, we were talking about retirement and people aging. But so they think that they are not socially isolated.

2:12So they should not be lonely. So there is that definition understanding that. So loneliness is feeling being disconnected or alone. Social isolation, what we talk about is that there is actual lack of regular contact with other people or in community. So when people think that they have social contact with other people and community, they are not lonely. However, if they don't feel connected or they are kind of living, like, you know, people go to work, but do not or they work remotely, but they are not making that social connection that loneliness increases. So therefore understanding the difference, even though there is an overlap is important, but both can affect your well-being. Okay. So what are some of the physical health risks of social isolation then?

3:13So both of social isolation and loneliness, what research has found that there is a high risk of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, dementia, and even earlier death. It can also influence daily health behaviors. So people who feel isolated, maybe less physically active, may not eat as well, may miss appointments, or may have a harder time, time staying on track with medications or chronic disease management. So let's talk a little bit though about what causes this as far as who might be more susceptible to loneliness or social isolation. Is there a certain group of people that we see this happening to more often? Yes, absolutely. Some of the common risk factors include like living alone, losing a spouse or close friend,

4:17people who have limited transportation, if they have financial barriers, mobility challenges, or hearing or wishing changes. Even caregivers can be also at risk because they spend so much time caring for someone that they don't, they tend to ignore their own needs, so their social needs fall away. The important thing is to notice when routines change, when someone starts becoming more withdrawn. So these are some of the circumstances when people can become lonely or socially isolated. Interesting. We're talking to Dr. Nameda Yende, a senior medical director and associate CMO with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. And our listeners can go to ahealthiermichigan.org and get more information on this important topic, ahealthiermichigan.org. So Dr. Yende, let's talk about what we can do to help stave off this sense of being lonely and isolation and being disconnected from our fellow humans.

5:22What can we do about that? So what I suggest is like, you can't become a social butterfly overnight and we don't expect that for people to happen. So start small and make it realistic. A phone call, a text, a shot visit, a sending a note can make a real difference. I also encourage people to look for connection through routines or walking group, faith community, library program, senior center activities or volunteer opportunities, support groups or classes through recreation departments can help. So these things can help become, decrease the social isolation and loneliness. The goal is to be able to build dependable points of connection into our daily or weekly life. And the most important thing to remember is consistency matters. So when you're building this or you're kind of trying to connect

6:25with somebody, instead of telling them saying, hey, call me if you need anything, try to make a specific plan with people. A specific plan is so important because it forces you to have to do that. Anything that can get you out into the real world and connecting with other people is important. But the realities are, as you mentioned earlier, there are maybe some physical constraints and other kinds of things that don't allow people to do that. But picking up a phone, as you mentioned, is equally as heartening for people to be able just to have that connection. And we've got virtual ways to connect with people now. So even if you're kind of stuck in your home, invite other people in as well and visit with them. All of that can change kind of the frame of your mind and the direction that your health might be headed in, can't it? Yes. And so when I say, like, call somebody, don't say, I'll call you next week, make it specific and say, I will call you on Sunday. I will call you on

7:25Sunday. If you can even make the time most specific, that helps. Or say, well, let's go to the library together on Friday evening. That kind of helps to make the commitment between the two people and also makes it more reliable and make it consistent. I love these ideas. There's no reason why you have to be lonely and disconnected from others. But maybe you need to take that first step. Dr. Yende has given us some great ways to do that. Thank you so much. It's been great talking with you today. And I hope it spurred other people on to kind of take charge of their life. And just because they're getting older, they don't have to kind of just be all by themselves. They're still way for them to stay connected to society. Thank you, Dr. Yende. Thanks for having me and bringing this important topic to life. Dr. Nameda Yende, Senior Medical Director and Associate CMO with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. And again, you can go online and read more about this

8:27and learn how you can take charge of your health at ahealthearmichigan.org. I'm Lucianne Lance. And this is Ann Arbor's Talk Station, 1290 WLBY.