Prevalence of Social Isolation and Loneliness among Elderly Children’s, Women’s and Seniors Health (2004) explained that loneliness is defined by deprivation of social contact, lack of people available to share social and emotional experiences or a state where an individual has the potential to interact with others but not doing so. As for social isolation, it is defined as the absence of or a decrease in the number of social interactions, contacts and relationships with other people together with low level of involvement in society (Ibrahim, Momtaz, & Hamid, 2013). In Malaysia, the findings from the present study by Ibrahim, Momtaz, & Hamid (2013) showed that prevalence of social isolation and loneliness ranging from 2% to 49% and from 3% …show more content…
Women with small social networks were approximately 5 times more likely to retire early than women with large social networks. Retirement may also lead to a decrease in social networks and social network contact, thus leading to social isolation. Retirement can be stressful episode for elderly especially those who are used to working and depending on the support of social network members at work. Social isolation has been shown to correlate with changes in salary and socioeconomic status. Economic constraints and low income are both factors associated with social isolation along with inadequate personal resources. Socioeconomic status has been suggested as a potential risk factor for social isolation. d) Changes in Work and Family Roles The loss of a relative, friends, or even close neighbours may also lead to an increase of social isolation among older people. A stressful negative life event, such as the death of spouse, a close friend or relative, may prevent older adults from participating in social networks, thus will put them in increase risk for social isolation. e) Environmental A study by Fowles and Greenberg in 2009 cited by Nicholson & Prev (2012) reported that about 30 % of the elderly population in the United States lives alone which leads to an increased social