Loneliness & Seniors - Much More Serious Than You Think

Dr. Richard Lewanczuk speak about this serious issue affecting seniors and even more so now with COVID-19. People tend to think of boredom, frustration, lack of joy. There are serious mental health implications, but one area that has been neglected is the physical health consequence of social isolation and loneliness. Loneliness has adverse effects on the immune system (paradoxically making people more susceptible to viral infections), the cardiovascular system, blood pressure, diabetes, and the inflammatory response. In addition, cognitive functions are impaired: memory, reasoning, and such. This would tend to make conditions such as Alzheimer's worse. Care partners are affected as well - in all respects. They too become more isolated and they too suffer the emotional, mental and physical consequences.