Loneliness among elderly women

Loneliness was found to be a problem for a significant portion of the population, reported more in the women with the exception of older unmarried men. Studies which examine the relationship between loneliness, depression, alcoholism, child abuse, and bereavement are discussed. Studies of the relationship of loneliness with other psychiatric disorders are lacking. There are data relating loneliness to physical disease and possible mechanisms for this relationship are reviewed. The loss of a spouse in elderly women is the most disorganizing life event they can ever with stand. The purpose of the present study is to understand the concept of loneliness among elderly women by reviewing the popular theories proposed by the researches. It also aims at examining the relationship of loneliness with their quality of life and other demographic issues through review of related researches. Findings revealed that loneliness is a particularly relevant issue in relation to elderly widows, whose rates of mortality illness and depression exceed those of their married counterparts, every woman who loses a husband through death experiences a painful period of bereavement, often accompanied by severe loneliness, obsessive thoughts of the deceased, restlessness, insomnia, somatic complaints, and even hallucinations of the deceased, and poor mental wellbeing. Older women report more loneliness than male peers. Loneliness is an area of concern related to the well being of older women because it is a cause of emotional distress and is linked to a variety of health problems in older individuals. Life changes, including widowhood and relocation, are associated with increased vulnerability to loneliness. Gender, social, and cultural factors influence the experience of loneliness in older women. Cognitive and interactionist theoretical approaches to loneliness have utility for nursing practice and research with older women who experience loneliness. However with structured interventions widows may be able to eventually recover from the loss and stand on there feet again. Keyword: Depression, elderly, loneliness, psychiatric disorder, widowhood