Isolation / Loneliness

Even before COVID-19, researchers and clinicians alike were worried about an “epidemic of loneliness” sweeping both our country and the world more globally. But in particular, since the arrival of the coronavirus and the necessary social isolation and social distancing it’s caused, researchers have been monitoring the impact on vulnerable…

Most of us are social creatures, so there’s been concern that social distancing restrictions may be having a serious impact on our society. Especially for older adults, we know that social isolation and loneliness are linked to serious physical and mental health concerns. Yet a new study published online in…

We have known for a long time that social isolation and loneliness in older adults are at epidemic proportions in our country and can take a significant toll on the physical and mental health of seniors. (For a deeper analysis on this, take a look at the highly-praised new book…

Given our individual circumstances, each of our situations has been unique as we quarantine during this pandemic. For some, that may mean sitting on the front porch or spending time in the backyard, with a lawn or long walks to keep ourselves sane. But for many, especially those quarantining alone,…

It’s no secret that social isolation can take an enormous toll on older adults. And in a twist of irony, it seems clear that cutting off social and physical connections, as we are doing during the coronavirus outbreak, makes it harder for people to fight off infection, among other detrimental…

It’s hard enough facing some of the challenges of getting older. Now imagine facing those challenges without loved ones or supportive family members to offer a helping hand. For millions of Americans, they don’t have to imagine, because that’s their reality. According to the Merck Manual, 30% of the 46…