Assisted living facilities have much to offer to their potential residents. Services such as transportation to and from regularly scheduled doctor appointments, assistance with medications, food, laundry and housekeeping are extremely helpful for those who need a little help in these areas as they get older.

But as important as they are, these types of amenities are all somewhat quantifiable in that they are provided daily or on a somewhat regular schedule.

At Somerset Court, we have always tried to stress the importance of community, often mentioning to potential residents and their families that ours is a “great neighborhood” to live in. Of course, that’s not unique to us … every retirement/assisted living facility strives toward the goal of having a happy, healthy group of people living within its community.

Blood pressure, balance, circulation, mobility, and Parkinson’s and related illnesses are just some of the hundreds of common health concerns with our aging population.

However, a recent story published by the Wall Street Journal trumpets an often-overlooked “looming health threat” to our seniors that ranks among some of those most common suspects – loneliness.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the number of people over the age of 50 without close relatives – defined as a spouse, partner or living child – is around 8 million and growing. That means about 1 in 11 people in that demographic are without their main source of companionship.

The publication states that a study conducted in 2017 by Harvard University, Stanford University and the AARP shows the dearth of social contacts among older adults costs Medicare $6.7 billion a year, “mostly from spending on nursing facilities and hospitalization for those who have less of a network to help out.”

In additional monthly costs to Medicare, social isolation ranks above arthritis among factors like high blood pressure and diabetes.

The story states that “baby boomers” – those born between 1946 and 1964 – ended marriages more often, had fewer children generally and greatly valued their individuality. Later in life, however, those factors equaled a population in which more than 25 percent are either divorced or were never married, and in which about one in six lives alone.

What can be done to guard against these types of problems?

The story stresses the importance of developing support networks. Organizations such as Meals on Wheels provide some social interactions, as do various activities at area senior centers.

According to the Wall Street Journal, in a review of 148 independent studies on loneliness, covering more than 300,000 participants, Julianne Holt-Lunstad of Brigham Young University and colleagues found that greater social connection was associated with a 50 percent lower risk of early death.

All these factors contribute to that sense of “neighborhood” and “community.” Of course, moving to an assisted living facility such as Somerset Court is another way to decrease isolation and loneliness for seniors. Dining three times per day and participating in just a few activities each week or month can provide residents with that prized social connection.

Whether or not assisted living is an option for you or your loved ones, it is important to keep in mind that people tend to have a much greater sense of well being when they have the advantage of companionship on a regular basis.