Friends may be just the medicine that one needs. A study out of the University of California, San Francisco found older people who feel lonely could find it affects their health. Researchers looked at 1,600 people with an average age of 71. Those who felt lonely are 60% more likely to lose the ability to do the activities needed for daily living. 45% were more likely to die.
Carla Perissinotto with UC San Francisco shares how you can help them avoid loneliness, “Examine what is going on in their life. Think about the quality of relationships they have and focus on increasing social connectivity.”
Start nurturing those relationships and expanding the horizons early so they are in place when needed. The US Department of Health and Human Services Health Beat has tips on how to manage stress and deal with depression. Listen below as News 92 FM’s Pattie Shieh shares additional information: