Most people will feel lonely at some point in their lives. It’s a deeply personal experience that - in most cases - will thankfully pass. But for a growing number of people, particularly those in later life, loneliness can define their lives and have a significant impact on their wellbeing.
We often feel lonely when we feel we don't have strong social relationships or are unhappy with the ones we have.
There have been several studies that have identified a range of factors associated with being lonely in older age. These factors include:
Loneliness is associated with depression, sleep problems, impaired cognitive health, heightened vascular resistance, hypertension, psychological stress and mental health problems.
For more information call Age Cymru Advice on 0300 303 44 98