The holiday season is here, and social isolation and loneliness can be a real health risk for anyone, but isolation may especially impact older adults who live alone, or those who feel hurt from the loss of family or friends, a chronic illness, and hearing loss. Social isolation significantly increases a person’s risk of premature death. It’s a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.
Dr. Daman Jamarai, Chief Medical Officer, Medicare and Retirement, for UnitedHealthcare of California, shares some tips to identify when someone is facing more than just a slight case of the holiday blues and how to address social isolation and loneliness.
