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- By Amy Blitchok
- 26 August, 2013
- 5 Comments
Let’s start with a quick game of word association. When you read the word aging, what are the first thoughts that come to mind? My guess is that most people will tend to think of health related issues: heart disease, dementia, stroke, decreased mobility, etc. But what if all these problems and diseases that we associate with aging were simply symptoms of a larger root cause? This may come as a surprise, but the number one health risk among the elderly is loneliness.
By tackling isolation and loneliness among seniors, we can significantly improve overall health and longevity. While our health is a complex system that relies on maintaining a balance of mind, body, and spirit, loneliness is the single most influential factor when it comes to well-being.
The elderly are especially susceptible to feelings of isolation and loneliness. More than likely, they have experienced the loss of loved ones and have far flung family members. Retirement can also contribute to a loss of purpose and community. The negative consequences of loneliness can be life changing.
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