During February, you should expect to see many articles on heart health in observance of American
Heart Month. I want to step out of the typical box and focus on the heart in a different way. I want to
consider the heart and mind, and, for want of a better term, their symbiotic connection. In some ancient
literature, the heart and mind are seen as one. And, really, when you are sad and lonely, is this a feeling
from your heart or your brain or both? In terms of science, the heart and mind are clearly two different
organs. But the poet in me sees the connection, especially when it relates to loneliness and isolation,
both of which have real health consequences.
An article in the Wall Street Journal, referred to Baby Boomers as the loneliest generation, and that,
“One in 11 US adults age 50 and older lacks a partner, spouse or living child, one in six baby boomers
lives alone.” Some say many boomers are aging in isolation. How can that be? They are, after all, called
boomers because so many babies were born between 1946 and 1964. Social scientists define a person
as socially isolated if they live alone, have less than monthly contact with friends or family and don’t
belong to a group (religious congregation, club, work or volunteer organization, etc.). Other researchers
use terms like social disconnectedness and perceived isolation to describe this condition. Why does
loneliness matter? Because loneliness is linked to functional decline and early mortality. It has been
observed in several studies that social isolation may have as large an impact on mortality as high blood
pressure, smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, and the elderly are at greatest risk. The possible
mechanisms leading to the poor outcomes are complex but may involve the cardiovascular system,
immune function, disrupted sleep, glucose regulation, dementia and/or depression. It has been
estimated that social isolation costs Medicare $6.7 billion each year. Over the centuries, social networks
like family and community have enabled us to survive, literally and figuratively.
What to do about this at first appears obvious. We should provide opportunities to interact as our
population ages. Some of this is already being done with the establishment of congregate meal sites for
the elderly. But in the years to come and with the growth of the over 65-year-old population, we will
need to do more. In some cases, the response may be improvements in transportation systems that will
allow the elderly to socialize; in other cases, it could be a focus on social networks or interventions that
use technology; or it could be changes in the healthcare system related to where and how we provide
health services. The interventions to facilitate social engagement will vary based on the needs of our
population. But despite challenges, these interventions must exist.
We often get concerned about lonely people during the holidays. To ensure the health of those growing
old in our communities, our concern and heightened sensitivity need to extend beyond the few days in
the Fall and Winter.