Loneliness for S San Fernando Valley Seniors Can Be As Deadly As Many Physical Ailments if Not Treated Properly
Senior isolation has been referred to as a “loneliness epidemic,” because, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11 million people over 65 – over one-third of the total – live alone.
Living alone in and of itself doesn’t mean a senior will suffer from the devastating effects of loneliness. Seniors who participate in social activities, see their family members and friends regularly, and make the effort to stay in contact with other people don’t have much to worry about. But as age makes mobility more difficult, limits transportation options, and takes more and more of a senior’s loved ones away in death, the risks grow.
Health Effects of Loneliness
Researchers have started to find evidence that loneliness can seriously limit a person’s life span as well as their quality of life. A 2012 study showed a link between social isolation and higher rates of mortality for people over 52.Loneliness:
- Causes raised blood pressure in seniors over 50
- Has a negative influence on cognitive performance
- Can make people more susceptible to viruses like the flu
- Increases the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease