Loneliness and Feeling Ignored May Predict Loss of Independence in Older

Loneliness and the feeling of being ignored may help predict when older adults begin to lose independence, according to research from Mexico. Published in PLOS Aging and Health, the study led by Laura Alejandra Ramirez-Tirado and colleagues analyzed data from 9,368 community-dwelling adults who took part in the 2021 Mexican National Health and Aging Study (ENASEM). Using a cross-sectional design, the researchers assessed whether subjective social disconnection forecasts functional dependence—difficulty performing everyday activities—after accounting for traditional clinical risk factors. Functional dependence was defined in terms of BADL and IADL, covering tasks from bathing and toileting to managing money and transportation. The work highlights loneliness-related exposures as potentially modifiable indicators.