When it comes to quality of life in old age, having close connections is a must.
In fact, researchers have found inviting your elder relatives over could actually extend their lives. The study “Loneliness in Older Persons” by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco followed 1,600 adults with an average age of 71.
Despite controlling socioeconomic status and health, the lonelier participants had lower mortality rates.
Nearly 23% of lonely participants died within 6 years of the study, as opposed to 14% of those that reported adequate companionship.
“The need we’ve had our entire lives — people who know us, value us, who bring us joy — that never goes away,” Barbara Moscowitz, senior geriatric social worker at Massachusetts General Hospital, explained to The New York Times.
Apparently elderly people place greater value in these connections than their children or grandchildren do.
Well, we think it’s a great excuse to get the family round!
