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Samantha Cox

Mrs. Haskins

DE English 103, P.2

24 April 2017

Senior Involvement in the Community

Seniors are often thought of as senile, dependent, and incompetent members of society.

However, this stereotype has undervalued the aging population and their ability to contribute to

their communities. In fact, this stigma leaves seniors feeling disconnected from the people

around them and damages their mental, emotional, and physical health. Older adults need to be

engaged in their communities to create healthier lives for themselves and others around them. A

monthly event at a senior center in Surprise that encourages community involvement would

benefit the elderly by changing societys preconceived ideas of them, reducing social isolation,

and promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Oftentimes, younger generations believe the elderly cannot contribute to their

communities anymore. A survey conducted by the Louis Harris organization found that younger

people regarded the aged as an inept, ineffectual, physically depleted group waiting for death

(Udall). These negative opinions make it difficult for the elderly to engage themselves in their

communities. In addition, the elderly experience social and emotional traumas associated with

the loss of loved ones, which cause them to lose self-confidence and their sense of importance to

those around them (Udall). Similarly, several older adults express frustration in giving up their

valued roles in society. For example, a former teacher described retirement as a major loss

because education was [his] life (Yorkston et al.). These problems emphasize the importance
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of encouraging the elderly to participate in their community. Since it is questionable whether all

older adults would be capable of being actively involved, society should make the effort to help

them. People must learn to reflect the knowledge that aging is a normal part of life not

necessarily to be dreaded (Udall). In fact, it is quite possible the contribution of the aged to

society would enhance the quality of life for everyone. As society changes its social attitude

towards the elderly, it prevents that generation of people from falling into an endless cycle of

social isolation.

Perceived isolation and loneliness are caused by feeling disconnected with society and

other individuals. A recent report indicates that loneliness now affects over 40 percent of older

adults in the United States (Cacioppo et al.). This statistic will increase unless people begin to

encourage the elderly to participate in community events or social gatherings. Social isolation

and loneliness are also linked to decreasing health among older adults. Seniors who lack social

connections suffer higher rates of infection, depression, and cognitive decline (Cornwell and

Waite). Some of the damage caused by a lack of social resources may be irreversible, such as

certain forms of dementia. Dementia affects communication and eventually limits social roles,

because of the gradual deterioration of cognitive skills and is estimated to impact the lives of at

least fourteen percent of the elderly (Yorkston et al.). If the health of the senior population

continues to deteriorate, it increases the likelihood of death as well. A study conducted in 2010

revealed that the odds ratio for increased mortality for loneliness is 1.45, which is

approximately double the odds ratio for increased mortality for obesity and quadruple the odds

ratio for air pollution (Cacioppo et al.). Thus, when people do not socialize with their elders,

they prevent them from becoming active members in their community, which could cause
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dementia and an early death. Society must change the way it interacts with older adults to give

them healthier lives and the opportunity to connect more with the outside world.

When seniors become active members of their community, it promotes good health and

reduces social isolation. Increased community participation among older adults relieves

loneliness, depression, or anxiety and allows them to help others by listening, reflecting, and

offering advice (Yorkston et al.). Therefore, engaging the elderly in society improves their

mental and emotional health, as well as their self-perception. In addition, community

participation encourages a healthy lifestyle in older adults by motivating better behavior and

defining how [the] government can support their choices, establishing that ones engagement in

their community creates long-lasting social connections (Rifkin). For example, working with the

government to design transportation systems to assist older people would potentially reduce the

serious isolation problem and give them a measure of independence (Udall). Although it is

questionable whether a plan like this would be feasible, especially on a national level, it would

give the elderly the opportunity to contribute to their community without feeling like a burden.

Plus, when the elderly start to participate more in their community, it not only improves their

lives, but the lives of those around them. As people begin to notice the impact made by seniors,

they will provide more time and resources toward improving their community and are

empowered by gaining opportunities for knowledge, skills, and confidence by being involved

(Rifkin). Even in old age, the elderly are capable of changing their entire community if they are

given the opportunity and resources to do so.

Supporting a monthly community event in Surprise that engages older adults would

benefit everyone. Increased socialization by the elderly would reduce feelings of social isolation
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and encourage seniors to make healthier choices and stay connected with society. Their ability to

positively impact others would also inspire more members of the community to get involved

with senior-based programs. However, in order for this to happen, people need change their

perceptions concerning the elderly. Since aging is a normal part of life, older adults can no

longer be considered unproductive members of society. If people start showing seniors

compassion, and provide them opportunities and resources along with encouragement, it could

benefit the entire community, if not the world, for generations to come.
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Works Cited

Cacioppo, Stephanie, John P. Capitanio, and John T. Cacioppo. Toward a Neurology of

Loneliness. Psychological bulletin 140.6 (2014): 14641504. PMC. Web. 12 Apr. 2017,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5130107/.

Cornwell, Erin York, and Linda J. Waite. Social Disconnectedness, Perceived Isolation, and

Health among Older Adults. Journal of health and social behavior 50.1 (2009): 3148.

Print. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756979/.

Rifkin, Susan B. Examining the Links between Community Participation and Health Outcomes:

A Review of the Literature. Health Policy and Planning 29.Suppl 2 (2014): ii98ii106.

PMC. Web. 13 Apr. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202913/.

Udall, Morris K. Address. American Association of Homes for the Aging, Proceedings and

Debates of the 94th Congress, 15 Apr. 1975, Washington D.C., MD,

http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/udall/speeches/elderly.html.

Yorkston, Kathryn M., Michelle S. Bourgeois, and Carolyn R. Baylor. Communication and

Aging. Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America 21.2 (2010):

309319. PMC. Web. 12 Apr. 2017,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074568/.