Anyone can feel lonely—even people who are surrounded by family.
Asim Shah, MD, professor and vice chair for community psychiatry in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, defines loneliness as an emotion that strikes when someone feels socially isolated. That feeling can set in within a marriage, at a party or just about anywhere. “When you’re in a relationship it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not lonely,” says Shah.
In fact, loneliness doesn’t just make you feel bad mentally, it may also have an impact on a person’s physical health. An analysis published in the international British Cardiovascular Society Journal, Heart [1], men and women with “poor social relationships” were associated with a 29 percent increase risk of incidences of coronary heart disease and a 32 percent increase in risk of stroke.
To learn more about how to combat loneliness and isolation, please visit: https://www.getold.com/feeling-lonely-youre-not-alone-heres-what-to-do
Every day, Jewish Family Services helps Richmond area older adults and adults with disabilities combat social isolation and loneliness through our Care and Senior Engagement programs. Further, our Counseling and Adoption programs also serve to connect individuals and families to the resources necessary for lifelong connectivity and engagement. To learn more about how you can support JFS, please call us at 804-282-5644.
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