Bond with neighbors to have better health: A new study on how communication helps seniors

Older people often feel isolated, but they are the ones who need social connections the most to stay healthy.

Strong neighborhood connections have been shown by Rutgers researchers to mitigate the negative impact of living alone on the death rates of older Chinese Americans.

Let's find out more.

Exploring the Social Impact on Health

This investigation delved into the question of whether the cohesiveness of neighborhoods among Chinese Americans could counterbalance the repercussions of living alone on premature mortality.

The study illuminated that elderly Chinese Americans, residing solo in neighborhoods characterized by weak social bonds, confronted a heightened probability of early demise when compared to their counterparts dwelling in locales with robust community cohesion.

In the United States, the statistic stands at roughly 27 percent of individuals aged 60 and above living independently, with research pinpointing solitary habitation as a factor linked to a spectrum of detrimental health consequences—ranging from depression and cardiovascular ailments to dementia and untimely death.

Among those participants who lived in solitude and admitted to minimal interaction with their neighbors, the risk of mortality spiked by a notable 48.5 percent.

Why it's important

By understanding how neighborhood characteristics can influence individual health, social policies and public health initiatives can be tailored to create healthier environments for older adults.

Enhancing neighborhood cohesion is proposed as a way to mitigate the risk of early death for lonely seniors.

The study underscores the importance of community connections in promoting the well-being of solitary older adults.
 

• Related news:
• research
• seniors
• neighbors
• communication
• 27 August 2023

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