Quality Writing Interpretation and Analysis

Running head: LONELINESS AMONGST OLDER ADULTS “Running head” only appears on the title page

LONELINESS AMONGST OLDER ADULTS 7

Mental Health and Loneliness Amongst Older Adults

Introduction Comment by Hp: In APA paper, there is an introduction but it is not titled as “introduction”

Loneliness has become an issue to worry about, especially among older adults. The problem is expected to grow in the future because of the rising number of older adults. Research shows that loneliness can be reduced using social networks(Aarts, Peek, & Wouters, 2015). Rising cases of the mental related problem, including loneliness, has been attributed to social isolation among older people. Different studies show that loneliness and social isolation can cause other health conditions, including cardiovascular and depression. Generally, older adults\\\' entire well-being is negatively affected by being isolated (Courtin & Knapp, 2017).

Problem Statement

1a) The Problem: The problem to be addressed by this study is the rising cases of mentally unhealthy older adults due to social isolation. Individuals at different age groups face isolation, but there is a surge at the age 0f 60 and above. 50% of people in this age bracket experience social isolation, and as a result,30% of them suffer some level of loneliness. (Fakoya, McCorry, & Donnelly, 2020). Comment by Hp: Second level headings are only flushed left, bold face and title case heading. It does not include numbering.

1b) Support: Rook and Charles conducted literature-based research on the relationship between older citizens and social networks in 2017. The report showed that some older adults benefitted from their current social network, but others faced some degree of conflict. The author explained that the major factor contributing to conflicts is old age. The study also showed that older adults experience broken relationships at different stages of their lives due to lifestyle changes that come with old age. Comment by Hp: Second level heading should be bold face, flush left and title case heading. It does not include numbering.

A social network status that older adults get involved in determines the level of happiness or distress. A good social network should support elderly citizens by connecting emotionally with them but not rebuking old age\\\'s strange behaviors. Having a friendly neighborhood also contributes to the well-being of older adults. Safety is a source of concern among elderly citizens, but they can be assured of their safety in a good neighborhood. Social networks can sometimes contribute to loneliness, and this was proved by a study done in the Netherlands where 182 adults aged above 65 years were involved (Kemperman, Berg, Weijs-Perree & Uijtdewillegen, 2019). Comment by Hp: Paragraph should be indented

2a) The Impact: a study on the effects of loneliness shows that long-term health problems may happen due to isolation and can be physical or mental. Adverse isolation outcomes are more visible in older people, and if not appropriately addressed, the conditions tend to shift to life-threatening health problems. Initially, people overlooked the effects of isolation, but health professionals have recorded a surge in metal-related problems resulting from many isolation cases resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. All ages are affected by the loneliness that arises due to isolation, but older citizens are always hit harder (Berg-Weger & Morley, 2020). Comment by Hp: Second level heading should be bold face, flush left and title case heading. It does not include numbering.

Loneliness can be caused by different life dimensions, one being a mismatch between an individual\\\'s expectations and social environment. Lack of required social support is another major cause of loneliness, and it is common among older adults (Wu & Zhang, 2011). Other life events may also contribute to the loneliness, but since social support is a well-known cause, it should be taken with the seriousness it deserves (Golden et al. 2009)

According to Victor et al. (2005), the main factor contributing to loneliness among older citizens includes mental instability that comes with old age, marital disputes, increased health problems, and personality differences. Research shows that health and personality-related problems impact well-being among older adults (Pelletier, 2004). A person who feels well is likely to overcome loneliness compared to a distressed individual.

3a) A review of loneliness based on the cognitive theory shows that loneliness is connected to human desires. Accomplishing a goal makes one feel happy and contented, but failed dreams cause a feeling of anger and regret, and the end outcome is usually loneliness. A relationship between social isolation and loneliness was shown in a review by The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in 2011 (Windle, Francis & Coomber, 2011). Comment by Hp: No heading. Should be bold face, flush left and title case heading. It does not include numbering.

3b) Support: Comment by Hp: Better use third level heading if there are parts “a” and “b” for one heading. The third level headings should be flushed left, boldface italic, title case heading

\\\" Older adults who engage in more social networks, preferably five to six social ties, enjoy more social support than those who do not. Lack of social support is a major cause of cognitive impairment, and it can cause other problems such as depression and being involved in drug abuse.\\\" (Bassuk et al.,1999) Comment by Hp: The whole quotation should be indented half inch

\\\"Individuals experiencing some level of social isolation are at risk of suffering from depression dementia, and at times they develop a heart-related complication, which is difficult to manage. Mental health is a major cause of rising suicide cases, and that is why many people who get isolated fall into the trap of taking away their lives.\\\" (Fratigloni, Paillard-Borg & Winblad, 2004). Comment by Hp: Whole quotation should be indented half inch

\\\"DiNapoli et al. (27) state that related cognitive cases are directly related to social isolation and viewing the two as one is important for a clear understanding\\\" (DiNapoli, Wu, & Scogin, 2014). Comment by Hp: Whole quotation should be indented half inch Comment by Hp: It is also better to use less direct quotations and more paraphrasing since it lets the reader know that you have understood what the author wants to say. An academic paper should contain less than 10% of direct quotes to avoid plagiarism.

4a) The Urgency: Comment by Hp: Proper second level heading is required here. Bold face, flush left and title case heading. It does not include numbering.

1. Social science scholars should expand older adults\\\' classification to smaller subsets to capture the behavior change with a slight age adjustment. The approach will make the generalization approach more accurate. (Fakoya, McCorry, & Donnelly, 2020). Comment by Hp: Should have included a starting line after the heading, before going to number enlisting. It is quite vague what the heading is about and what the numbered points are discussing.

2. Researchers should suggest more innovative ways of surviving in harsh economic times. There should be a structure to support individuals to access basic needs whenever efforts from their side don\\\'t work. Partnership with different organizations is a possible strategy that can be used to bring more resources together (Bernard, 2013).

4b) Support: Comment by Hp: Better use third level heading if there are parts “a” and “b” for one heading. The third level headings should be flushed left, boldface italic, title case heading

1. \\\"A study to identify the challenges that cause mental illness placed loneliness and social isolation on the top of the list. There is a dire need to deal with the challenges, but it is not known the agencies to the task to tackle the problem.\\\" (Bernard, 2013) Comment by Hp: Use less of the direct quotes and more paraphrasing. Again, should have included a starting line after the heading. It is quite vague what the heading is about and what the numbered quotations are telling.

2. \\\"researching more on how social isolation, loneliness, and well-being relate to each other is important. A deep understanding of the three will suggest more efficient ways to defeat loneliness and measures to put in place to avoid social isolation. All individuals have a right to feel well.\\\" (Wu & Zhang, 2011) Comment by Hp: Sentence starts from capital letters

3. \\\"Different factors contribute to a feeling of isolation including lack of people to interact with, lack of a sense of social belonging, lack of psychological support and financial hardships.\\\" (Nicholson, 2008) Comment by Hp: It is also better to use less direct quotations and more paraphrasing since it lets the reader know that you have understood what the author wants to say. An academic paper should contain less than 10% of direct quotes to avoid plagiarism.

Identify who is influenced by the problem Comment by Hp: Second level headings have title case in APA

Human beings face some degree of loneliness in their life, and it starts from childhood. However, the study has shown that the most affected age bracket is older citizens above 60 years. The surge of loneliness at this age bracket results from the social isolation caused by challenges that come with old age. Over half of older citizens over the age of 60 face social isolation and a third of them experience some level of loneliness as a result. Social isolation is usually a result of a drop in quality of life that happens at old age. Some of the factors behind low-quality life include poor health and individual personality, and each aspect can be analyzed independently. Sometimes a combination of factors can happen simultaneously, and the affected individual might be at higher risk of suffering from loneliness. (Fakoya, McCorry, & Donnelly, 2020).

References

Aarts, S., Peek, S., & Wouters, E. (2015). The relation between social network site usage and loneliness and mental health in community-dwelling older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry, 942-9.

Berg-Weger, M., & Morley, J. (2020). Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications for Gerontological Social Work. J Nutr Health Aging, 1-3.

Bernard, S. (2013). Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older People in North Yorkshire. Social Policy Research Unit.

Courtin, E., & Knapp, M. (2017). Social isolation, loneliness, and health in old age: a scoping review. Health Soc Care Community, 799-812.

DiNapoli EA, Wu B, Scogin F. Social isolation and cognitive function in Appalachian older adults. Resn Aging 2014; 36: 161- 79.

Fakoya, O., McCorry, N., & Donnelly, M. (2020). Loneliness and social isolation interventions for older adults: a scoping review of reviews. BMC Public Health.

Golden et al. (2009). Loneliness, social support networks, mood and well-being in community-dwelling elderly. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 24(7), pp. 694-700.