Social isolation: a practical guide for nurses assisting clients with chronic illness.

Social isolation is a serious problem in our society, and the chronically ill are especially vulnerable. The lack of needed and wanted social contacts is a serious source of discomfort that can lead to further health problems. Many factors are involved, including limited mobility, lack of transportation, apparent and hidden disabilities that are socially undesirable, lack of employment, drained relationships with caregivers, changes of social roles, and emotional and psychological stress and dysfunction. Nurses are in a unique position to intervene on behalf of those social isolates. Practical interventions include contacting peer counselors, referring the patient to a support group, helping to rebuild the family network, enhancing the patient's spirituality, helping the patient use Internet-based supports, and practicing the therapeutic use of self Social isolation is a threatening condition for many people, but it has many solutions. In order to provide holistic care, nurses can address this problem on an individual and societal level.