The study found that in-person communication helps reduce levels of loneliness in older adults, but other methods, such as phone calls, emails, or text messages, are not as effective in reducing loneliness.
“We found that when older adults feel lonely, they are more likely to pick up the phone and call someone,” said Xiang Zhang, a co-author of the study. “But in-person visits were the only type of contact that actually reduced reported levels of loneliness.”
Regular social interaction has long been important for mental and physical health, contributing to longevity in old age, while loneliness has been linked to heart disease, cognitive decline and even premature death.
Although many older adults face chronic health conditions and mobility issues that can make in-person communication more difficult, the new study, which followed more than 300 people over age 65, suggests that this type of communication is “an important component of any broad-based effort to address loneliness in older adults.”
“Although telephone communication is available most of the time and provides older adults with opportunities for social contact when they feel lonely, it appears that telephone communication may not be as effective as in-person communication in reducing loneliness,” Zhang said.
Source: Medical Express
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2024-09-02 04:05:14
