Scientists analyzed data from more than 380,000 men and women over 65 living in Canada, Finland, and New Zealand. All participants received home care from social services in their home countries, which allowed them to maintain independence for longer. The researchers assessed all factors, from age to medical history, and compared their impact on the risk of premature mortality over a one-year observation period. The study findings were published on the University of Waterloo website.
Although loneliness was common among the volunteers, it was not associated with an increased risk of death. In fact, the risk of death among lonely people was actually lower than among those who were not lonely, after accounting for age, health, and other important factors.
Notably, participants in higher physical fitness who received less support were more likely to feel lonely.
"Thus, it is important to consider loneliness as a quality of life issue rather than focusing solely on potential mortality risks," the authors said.
Scientists don't deny the fact that loneliness remains a serious threat to psychological well-being, and this problem is indeed relevant for the elderly. However, they believe it would be more rational to focus efforts on improving the quality of life of older people.
Recently, other scientists discovered blood biomarkers associated with poor health associated with social deprivation. This discovery could form the basis for a "loneliness test" that would allow for the objective identification of people at risk.
