Loneliness

It will come as no surprise to most of you that loneliness continues to be a significant public and personal health problem in our country, as new data from Gallup reports the ongoing significance of the problem. According to a just-released survey as part of the Gallup National Health and…

It’s no surprise that older individuals often feel lonely, as close family and friends become distant or have passed away, and as illness and disability make it harder to connect and gather. We’ve covered this topic on many previous occasions but it’s still jarring to read new research that confirms…

It’s likely no surprise that loneliness continues to be a significant public health concern in the United States. As we reported last year when Surgeon General Vivek Murthy raised alarms about the public health crisis of loneliness in our country, loneliness is not only a subjective individual feeling of disappointment…

It’s no secret that among older adults, loneliness and dementia are ongoing and growing problems. Add to that the rise in older adults living alone and you have the makings of a real public health crisis as our population continues to get older. While there are all sorts of scientific…

Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely? At this point, so many older adults are alone, vulnerable to the health consequences that are more likely as a solo ager and without the supports that typically allow an older adult to remain active and engaged. But does being…

The writer Paolo Coelho once wrote, “Friendship isn’t a big thing—it’s a million little things.” The value of friendships throughout your life, but especially as you get on in years, is truly underestimated. Both your physical and mental health benefit when friends are an integral part of your life, not…