Christmas can be a lonely time for older people, particularly the growing number who live in rural areas. Technology could help the crisis of social isolation in old age.
More elderly people may soon be pinching pennies.
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Americans are increasingly struggling to save enough for retirement. If Social Security isn't saved, growing old in poverty will likely become more common.
Social robots are one way to provide lonely seniors with companionship.
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Half of Australians feel lonely for at least one day a week, while one in four feel lonely for three or more days. This can impact on sleep, heart health and levels of anxiety.
Breaking a bone is never a good thing, but breaking a hip is particularly bad. One in three older adults who break a hip will die within 12 months of the injury.
Twenty years since the Aged Care Act was introduced, the situation for older Australians remains dire. They're sicker and have more complex care needs, but little access to medical care.
It seems loneliness among older people is expected – by everyone except the elderly themselves.
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With people living longer lives and dementia on the rise, it's time to consider whether it's verboten for spouses acting as full-time caregivers to seek love and comfort outside their marriages.
Victoria’s Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Finance Mr Daniel Mulino voted against the state’s assisted dying bill.
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Lindy Willmott, Queensland University of Technology; Andrew McGee, Queensland University of Technology, and Ben White, Queensland University of Technology
The main arguments used by those who voted against assisted dying – including that the bill has insufficient safeguards – in Victoria's upper house, deserve further scrutiny.
Studies are showing that loneliness can be deadly, even more so than obesity.
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Loneliness shortens our life spans and some studies suggest it's even more lethal than obesity. We are physiologically and psychologically primed for connection, so don't shrug off your loneliness.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne unveiled her government’s plan to cut electricity bills in March 2017 amid a public uproar about skyrocketing fees driving ratepayers into energy poverty.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
Research Fellow, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, National Ageing Research Institute and Adjunct Research Fellow, Swinburne University, The University of Melbourne