Scientists have claimed that loneliness in old age is a bigger killer than obesity.

According to John Cacioppo, a neuroscientist at the University of Chicago, feeling isolated or rejected can have profound negative effects on our health. This can manifest itself in poor sleep patterns, high blood pressure and a range of other conditions.

The research showed that people who reported feeling alone were 14 per cent more likely to die during the six-year study period. This compares with a seven per cent increased mortality rate for those deemed obese during a previous study.

Professor Cacioppo told the American Association for the Advancement of Science that close relationships were more important in determining longer life than other factors such as warm weather and good food.

The findings coincide with increasing evidence of loneliness among Britain’s older people. One study found that more than 30 per cent of elderly people now say they suffer feelings of loneliness compared with just 13 per cent 60 years ago.

In previous studies, scientists have shown that loneliness can lead to increased stress, which in turn can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Responding to the latest American research, Caroline Abrahams, of the charity Age UK, called on people to do more to reduce the issue of loneliness in our society. Caroline said:

The American study adds to a growing body of research showing that being lonely not only makes life miserable for older people, it is also really bad for their health. We need to do more to support older people to stay socially connected.

It is exactly this kind of research that demonstrates to the team at SureCare that we are in tune with the needs of our clients. Our carers are able to respond to the specific needs of clients, whether they need long-term personal care or just a little bit of companionship each day.

We also believe strongly in the importance of community both in terms of our carers knowing their particular local communities inside out, but also in encouraging others to look out for the elderly amongst us to ensure that they are okay. In our increasingly hectic lives, we would all do well to take a few minutes each day to think about the older people who live close to us. It is amazing how far a few simple gestures go towards easing our society’s loneliness problem.

To read more about Professor Cacioppo’s study on loneliness and the elderly visit The Guardian today.