When you see your mum for Mother’s Day, you’ll be doing a lot more than just sharing a meal: it may actually extend her life and increase its quality.
The study out of the University of California followed 1600 adults (with an average age of 71) and found loneliness can have a huge impact on someone’s natural decline associated with old age.
The results found that nearly 23 per cent of study participants who were lonely died within six years of the study’s commencement, as opposed to only 14 per cent of participants that had a companion.
“The need we’ve had our entire lives – people who know us, value us, who bring us joy – that never goes away,” said Barbara Moscowitz, senior geriatric social worker at Massachusetts General Hospital.
So there you have it: old people want close friends and to have fun just like everyone else. Your mum’s your biggest fan – so be sure to tell her how much you love her.
