Published 16th April 2019
How can we do better to reverse the unsettling trend of loneliness gripping elderly Australians, asks Community Sector Banking CEO Andrew Cairns.
o some, the thought of retirement is an exciting prospect. It’s a long-awaited and hard-earned chapter that many look forward to. Sadly, the reality isn’t always so rosy. Studies show that an increasing number of older Australians are feeling lonely and isolated.
What’s important about loneliness is that it’s not just a feeling. It’s a significant public health and social policy problem.
A study at Swinburne University showed that loneliness can increase the chances of early death by a staggering 26 per cent. Many believe loneliness should be treated as a public health crisis with peak medical experts now calling for the Australian government to follow in the footsteps of the UK government and create a minister for loneliness.
To read the full article, please visit the website.
Source:Andrew Cairns, 2019, Probono Australia (https://probonoaustralia.com.au/)
Reads 526 Downloads -
Back