Lonely Can Kill, The Reason The Elderly Needs To Be Visited At Least Once A Week

Illustration of elderly visits (Freepic)

JAKARTA - In a modern life that is fast and busy with activities, the presence of the elderly in the family is often no longer a top priority. In fact, behind their friendly smile and past stories they keep, deep emotional needs are hidden, they don't want to feel alone.

According to Prof. Dr. dr. Siti Setiati, SpPD-KGer, M.Epid, FINASIM, a specialist in internal medicine consultant geriatri as well as the Central Trustee of the Indonesian Medical Gerontology Association (PP PERGEMI), visits to the elderly should be a scheduled routine, not just a discourse.

Because, said Prof. Ati - as he is known, the elderly who live and live alone are prone to loneliness and this condition can kill. The loneliness experienced by the elderly has a very serious impact on their health, especially on increasing the risk of malnutrition.

"Not a few elderly people are malnourished just because they lose motivation to eat because they are lonely and when they eat they no longer become social activities. Once there are no friends, they become lazy to eat," he said after the press conference "Support the Elderly to Live Healthyly and Actively through Restorative Fest 2025: Bakti. Throughout Age" in Jakarta, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Not only about eating, loneliness is also an entry point for mental and cognitive disorders. Elderly who feel themselves are more vulnerable to depression, dementia, to a significant decrease in brain function.

"Many of his research shows that people who are lonely more quickly have dementia, are easier to depression, and tend to be shorter in age," he continued.

The solution? As simple as visiting the elderly. According to Prof. Ati, family should arrange a visit schedule to the elderly, at least once a week. If there are three children, they can take turns. The important thing is, the elderly are not left alone for a long time.

"Don't let the elderly alone. That's an important principle that must continue to be raised," he said.

Visits don't have to be luxurious, such as taking a leisurely walk, chatting, or just listening to their stories is enough to warm the hearts of the elderly. In fact, light discussions that invite them to think will really help maintain cognitive functions.

Given the busyness of families or individuals at productive age, sometimes there is an assumption that "visits" via video or phone calls are considered enough to stay in touch with parents. So, can this modern activity replace the meeting in person?

Prof. Ati emphasized that physical communication remains irreplaceable because meeting physically is still needed. Because visits do not only have to be from children. Grandchildren can also be involved in this interaction, because the presence of the younger generation brings their own energy and happiness to the elderly.

"If you can't, then you can be replaced temporarily with video calls, but you should still have a meeting in person," he explained.

Caring for and accompanying the elderly is not only a form of family responsibility, but also a part of a culture that respects the previous generation. In the midst of rapid social change, maintaining this value is a form of respect for those who have already taken the path of life.

Routine visits, however short, can be an bidder of loneliness, prolong life, maintain mental health, and most importantly revive a sense of meaning in the elderly.