New report outlines the harmful effects of social isolation in older adults

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and funded by the AARP Foundation finds that older adults who are socially isolated are at an increased risk of depression and heart disease. Here's more:

• Prevalence: Nearly a quarter of adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated, and more than a third of adults aged 45 and older report feeling lonely. 
• Health effects: Social isolation is associated with an increased risk of premature death. Poor social relationships are also associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased stroke risk. 
• Recommendations: The report authors suggest including social isolation and loneliness as assessment measures in EHRs so physicians can look out for it as a risk factor. Another suggestion is that agencies like the NIH fund research looking at the health effects of isolation.