“The older I get, the more isolated and lonely I feel. Could this affect my health?”

Abstract

The natural inclination of most people is to stay in their own homes for as long as they can. Traditionally, declining health has been the primary reason older adults move from their “family home” into a home that offers support with medical care and daily chores.

Today, an increasing number of healthy, active adults are moving to retirement communities—but for a very different type of support: social support. And they are discovering it has profound and far-reaching benefits.