The feeling of being alone, when it is not one's own choice, becomes the greatest health risk factor among the older population. So much so that it can increase the risk of premature death by up to 14% , according to the latest research by John Cacioppo, a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago.
The study brings to the table the great difference between people who are able to satisfy their personal relationships and those who live in extreme loneliness. Older people who live with someone or who have satisfactory social ties, whether with family or friends, develop a better capacity for recovery to cope with adversity and manage day-to-day stresses.
Older people who live in absolute solitude have irregular sleep, higher blood pressure, are more stressed, more depressed and with a general feeling of lack of well-being, corroborating that health and loneliness are more closely linked than it may seem a priori . Feeling that they care about us and having people to care about creates an intimate connection that goes beyond pure social relationships: it affects our health.
