Loneliness Linked with Premature Death among Older Adults

Amy Taylor February 19, 2014

Researchers from the University of Chicago have found that feeling extreme loneliness can increase an older person’s chances of premature death by 14 per cent.

The study looked at the dramatic differences in the rate of physical and mental decline as people age. Researchers found that loneliness is nearly as strong as disadvantaged socioeconomic status, which increased the risk of dying early by 19 per cent.

According to lead investigator Dr John Cacioppo, a social psychologist and a leading expert on loneliness, their work corresponds to a 2010 meta-analysis that showed loneliness has twice the impact on early death as obesity.

The researchers identified various consequences to health of chronic loneliness are dramatic. For instance, feeling isolated from others can disrupt sleep, elevate blood pressure, increase morning rises in the stress hormone cortisol, alter gene expression in immune cells, increase depression, and lower overall subjective well-being.

Dr Cacioppo said older people can avoid the consequences of loneliness by staying in touch with former co-workers, taking part in family traditions, and sharing good times with family and friends, as these give them a chance to connect with others, especially those whom they care and who care about them.

“Retiring to Florida to live in a warmer climate among strangers isn’t necessarily a good idea if it means you are disconnected from the people who mean the most to you,” he said. “Population changes make understanding the role of loneliness and health all the more important,”

“We are experiencing a silver tsunami demographically. The baby boomers are reaching retirement age. Each day between 2011 and 2030, an average of 10,000 people will turn 65,” Dr Cacioppo added.

“People have to think about how to protect themselves from depression, low subjective well-being, and early mortality.”

Even though some people are happy being alone, most thrive from social situations in which they provide mutual support and develop strong rapport. Evolution encouraged people to work together to survive and accordingly most people enjoy companionship over being alone.

Core dimensions of a healthy relationship

The researchers identified three core dimensions of a healthy relationship. The first is intimate connectedness, which comes from having someone in your life you feel affirms who you are. Next is relational connectedness, which comes from having face-to-face contacts that are mutually rewarding. Last is collective connectedness, which comes from feeling that you’re part of a group or collective beyond individual existence.

It is not the physical isolation itself that is destructive, but the subjective sense of isolation, the researchers note. This means older adults are not necessarily lonely if they are socially engaged and enjoy the company of those around them.

Source of this article:

Loneliness Can Be Lethal for Seniors