A Growing Movement Aims to Prepare All Physicians to Care for Older Adults

Original article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2843198This JAMA article looks closely at how loneliness and social isolation affect U.S. adults ages ~50–80. It highlights that a surprisingly high percentage of older adults report feeling socially isolated or lonely, in many cases due to life transitions like retirement, health changes, loss of loved ones, or living alone. Importantly:Social isolation is about lack of real social connections — like not having people you interact with regularly.Loneliness is about how someone feels — even if outwardly they aren’t alone. You can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely.The article points out that both loneliness and isolation are recognized as important public health concerns. They’re linked with a wide range of physical and emotional health challenges, from heart issues and mental health struggles to reduced well-being in everyday life.