One in three adults aged 50 and older feel lonely and one in 10 are socially isolated, it has emerged. However, people living in rural areas are less likely than those from urban areas to be among the most isolated. However, those from rural areas (6.5%) were less likely than those from Dublin City or county (10.4%) to be in the most isolated group. “Lonely individuals tend to have poorer health and quality of life, and loneliness is strongly linked to depression,” Prof Ward said. The report will be launched today at Trinity College by Jim Daly, the minister of state for mental health and older people.

Source: Irish Examiner October 21, 2019 04:07 UTC