Loneliness Doesn't Drive Seniors to See More Doctors

A research review published in the American Journal of Public Health suggests socially isolated older adults may not necessarily visit physicians or health clinics more frequently than those with wider social circles, reports Reuters . However, as their health worsens, older people lacking strong social relationships may be more likely to have long hospital stays and repeat hospitalizations. The researchers analyzed data from 126 studies involving more than 226,000 people in 19 countries. "The evidence is not quite there yet to indicate that increasing the quantity and/or quality of older adults' social ties will reduce healthcare utilization," says Christina Matz-Costa of the Boston College School of Social Work. Georgia State University's Ben Lennox Kail notes there may be many potential explanations for this trend. For example, people with few close relationships with friends or family may be more likely to have depression or other mental health issues than those with expansive social networks. Kail adds, "That said, if this were the primary explanation, we might expect to see more regular doctors' visits — and we don't."