According to a Time magazine article (March 4, 2019), loneliness and social isolation are growing public-health concerns for people of all ages in the United States, especially seniors. Studies have long connected loneliness to a range of health issues that could threaten longevity and well-being, including higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, depression, anxiety and early death. Now, the latest National Poll on Healthy Aging finds that about a third of seniors are lonely.

“Research shows that chronic loneliness can impact older adults’ memory, physical well-being, mental health, and life expectancy,” write the authors of the new report. “In fact, some research suggests that chronic loneliness may shorten life expectancy even more than being overweight or sedentary, and just as much as smoking.”

While working with a group in an apartment complex for senior citizens, a new type of friendship was born. Each week this same group of ladies met for what they called a gathering. Promptly at 11:00 on Tuesdays, a nutrition lesson would ensue. Each week the ladies asked more questions and became even closer friends. The group came together to encourage one another to walk together, as physical activity was stressed in our lessons. At the end of our program, one of the ladies was down 15 pounds and was able to walk without her walker, only using a cane. Even though lessons are over the ladies continue to walk and we have monthly Fruit and Veggie BINGO.