Question
What is sociality and how does it impact quality aging? How does CaptionCall support sociality?
Answer
Social isolation is a state where a person does not have many, if any, people to interact with. It manifests itself physically. Someone who lives alone and may go for days at a time without talking to another person is socially isolated. That person may or may not feel lonely. Most people don’t consciously choose to live in social isolation. However, as people age, uninvited illness, disability such as hearing loss, a change of residence and death put socially inclined individuals in positions of sudden social isolation. Then loneliness sets in. Loneliness is a subjective state of painful emotion. Loneliness is not depression, but can quickly lead to depression, putting one’s quality aging goals practically out of view.
There is an important link between “being social” and “quality aging.” Studies* reveal that sociality is our first line of defense when it comes to quality aging because it:
- Provides a sense of purpose and feelings of belonging
- Increases self-esteem and confidence
- Can motivate people to eat better and exercise
- Improves physical health
- Improves mood
- Assists with better sleep
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lessens depression
- Challenges the mind
- Provides inspiration
- Lowers risk for dementia
- Helps us live longer
*Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/09/benefits-of-friends_n_5568005.html
Hearing loss is one of the most common causes for social isolation that leads to loneliness in aging adults. Hearing loss often happens gradually, over time. People may not realize or not want to admit that they have hearing loss.
CaptionCall is a no-cost phone with free captioning service designed to help individuals with hearing loss stay socially engaged by enabling them to hear and read what their callers say. It helps people use the phone again with confidence so that they can stay connected to friends, family, and healthcare providers.
People with hearing loss may retreat into isolation. As hearing care providers, we can work together to prevent lonliness by providing solutions to address untreated hearing loss and promote sociality and quality aging.
For more information, read the CaptionCall resource, Making the Case for Sociality and visit the CaptionCall Expo on AudiologyOnline. Get started with CaptionCall today at https://www.captioncallprovider.com/