Worried about a loved one who lives alone? New research backs up that gut feeling. Living alone is associated with an increased risk of both functional decline and premature death, according to a pair of new studies. Interestingly, the same has been found true for pervasive loneliness, even when the person lives with someone else.
Living alone "could be a little red flag that [a] patient may be at a higher risk of bad outcomes," Deepak L. Bhatt, a cardiologist at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, told CNN.
And those under age 80 seem to be at greater risk than those 80 or older. One of the studies just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, followed nearly 45,000 people ages 45 and up who had heart disease or a high risk of developing the condition. Those who lived alone were more likely to die from heart attacks, strokes, or other heart complications than people living with family or friends or in another communal arrangement. The risk was highest among people ages 45 to 65 and nonexistent in people age 80 and older.
Living alone may be a sign of social or psychological problems, such as relationship trouble, a weak support system, job stress, or depression-- all factors linked to heart disease. (Most people in this demographic are living with spouses, so living alone is relatively unusual, which may explain why they had a higher risk of death even though a lower percentage of individuals were in this situation.) Also, those living alone tend to be less vigilant about self care, such as skipping medications or ignoring symptoms, researchers say.
The second study, focusing on people ages 60 and older, indicates that the feelings of loneliness and isolation, by themselves, can be a form of stress contributing to inflammation] . Those who reported, during the six-year study, that they felt lonely, isolated, or left out were 45 percent more likely to die and 59 percent more likely to have difficulty with everyday tasks such as dressing and bathing (an important marker for older adults living alone, known as functionality).
"Feelings of being lonely could cause an inflammatory state," says lead author Carla M. Perissinotto, an assistant professor of geriatrics at the University of California, San Francisco.
CNN reports that the link between loneliness and poor health held even after the researchers took into account living situation, depression, and other factors, suggesting that feelings of loneliness or isolation might independently damage health in some way.
Image by Flickr user JD the Photog, used under a Creative Commons license.
yes i am 83 years , looks like 63 as they tell me ,i feel great and healhty but have a greath hobby ,mine amateur radio,talk to the world, if propacation permits me mine computors,love mine own cooking ,love mine own clean home ,and be a person never wear mine underwear 2 days, life is greath it is wath, YOUR SELF MAKES OF IT???,have total no complains, ?a litle exstra mony would be welcom, for a hollyday ,a single pension, is not going to far, i am xdutch man ,born in nederland haarlem but a great life in australia, but live alone bernardus witjes
Don't get me wrong folks...I am working my way through it...slowly. Part of it is that I'm still grieving the loss of the center of my own little universe. I'm not a total recluse. I do have a (sort of) boyfriend. I got out and went back to school and finished my certificate last month. I remind myself every day that I really AM okay.
@CJMarley - There must be some volunteer opportunities in your community. Isn't there a Meals on Wheels project - they usu. need volunteers. Try going to a church and talk to other people there who are standing or sitting alone. If you're a guy, talk to other guys. Say "This is my first time here. Is there a Bible study group or Service group I could join?" Speak to the Pastor about opportunities to serve. He'll be overjoyed to help you. Or go on an Audubon walk or other nature walk. It's important to keep meeting new people and to be in the swim. I know you're not interested in bars -- you don't meet the best quality people there. I'm a shut-in so I have to reach out to ask for company -- and I have it. Also, be proactive about reaching back to contact old friends. You have the freedom to do so much.
I LIKE Bella Terra's and Daisy's answers. That's me to a T! Lost my wonderful husband to cancer and will always miss him, but I have always been okay with just me for company. Oh sure, I get out and about, but I love my space. In the long run, you're responsible for your own happiness. Give yourself a chance to be enough.
I'm 78, have never married, and have never been lonely. I have no close relatives, but have friends I've known for many years, my closest friend since 1956. The only illness I have is Arthritis which limits my mobility so I'm a "shut-in". I never got used to living with anyone, as married folks have, so I've never missed the company. I'm very happy, even happier as I get older -- (weird but true!). Don't go out to make friends; go out to do volunteer work and /or church activities, the friendships will happen.. There's so much of both to be done. Get some pleasant past-time that involves moving, if only your hands. I've played the piano since I was 5 and I'm still trying to improve. Now I get Youtube.com on my computer, and listen to professionals play the piece I'm trying to learn. I play it over and over till my head is full of it, then try to imitate what I heard. It's fun!
CJ, church is a good place to make friends. And/or volunteering. Do not sit at home in front of the computer and/or TV. I am fortunate. I'm very introverted, I don't need a lot of friends/company, I don't have a TV, and I love to read. However, almost all my friends (not many though) have been made through volunteering. It just seems as though no one has time for friendship anymore unless they're retired. When I was married and my kids were growing up and I was working -- I had a lot of friends. Of course, I had no time to myself then either. I think each stage of life brings its own rewards and its own difficulties.
i am 83 years of age,and in mine life the older i get ,ihave no more piece in mine life, no one wil come near me and have a good wort for me ,but to exsplain ,i have to sit down and need truly a legal person why i fear for mine life ,and were can i find a person like that i can not pay $40 FOR A MINUTE INTERVIEW and i live alone for 22 years no one cares, bernardus
I think a lot of it depends on the persons personality as well. I'm currently struggling with it myself but then I'm only 43. My husband died of cancer 2.5 years ago and my last child just moved out of the house. My best friend has had too much on her plate to be involved with me for some time now. So I'm feeling a little lost right now. I keep getting told I need to get out and meet people, but about all there is around here for socializing is bars and really not into that scene. Could go bowling but geez...who wants to bowl alone? I have many online young widow friends and I see a lot of the same thing going on with them as well. No one ever expects to be widowed so early in life and it's very lonely.
Some men just want a woman to take care of them and wait on them after their wife dies. They want a replacement after grieving is over. No one can ever replace the father of my 4 sons. I waited on 4 boys and a husband and loved them all dearly, but I'm done. I do agree with the gender theory, and also with Daisy and Bella about living alone. I like it and am very good at entertaining myself. Both my grandmothers lived alone in their homes until they died. Now my parents are still in their home, 85 and 90 so it does happen.
I agree with Daisy. The only time I have ever been really lonely is when I was married. I very much like living alone. And I think this study should have been broken down between genders. I know plenty of women who like living alone. I've never known a man who liked living alone. Good grief, leave people alone with all these 'scientific' studies. I'm not going out and make a ton of friendships with people I don't like. And I'm not getting married again or even living with a man (although I love men). Not even to PERHAPS live longer or to PERHAPS not become demented.
as I've gotten older (81) I find I have not invested in making close friends when I was younger. Now I have none. I do have a wonderful wife but fear if i lost her I could not exist by myself. I have 4 daughters and none of them like me either. some of my 13 grand-kids do but as they get older they drift away too. I don't seem to make friends easy so if my wife died before me i would not enjoy life.
The only time in my life I have been lonely was when I was married. I live alone now and it is the first time I have not had something I had to do or somewhere I had to go, or someone I had to take care of. I love living alone and doing what I want when I want to or just doing nothing if I want to. Just giving another view of living alone after 70.
I disagree with this article. I am a 69 year old widow and live alone. My husband was 12 years older than me. I miss him terribly, but have adjusted to my life without him. I am in good health and have monthly social engagements with friends. I have grandkids who spend a night or weekend with me at least once a month. I am alone, but not lonely. I think it would be harder on me to adjust to another lifestyle. I also don't want to remarry. It would be hard to watch another spouse die or take care of him on Hospice. Some older folks like their alone time, doing things that please them, and being in their familiar surroundings. These can be more stimulating than having to change their life to please someone else as long as they can manage on their own. We are more resillent than some think.
If you have an older loved one who is currently living alone, and you're worried about loneliness and social isolation for him/her, here are some tips and resources that can help: http://www.caring.com/blogs/caring-currents/depression-isolation-help-seniors-loneliness and http://www.caring.com/articles/how-to-get-your-loved-one-to-accept-an-elder-companion and http://www.caring.com/articles/assisted-living-care Caring.com's support groups are also a great place to talk about your concerns and get suggestions and feedback from others with similar experiences: http://www.caring.com/support-groups
These results are very interesting. I am wondering if the various studies also broke down their data by gender to see if there are differences between males and females regarding "well-being" if they live alone.