Interacting with Caregivers Shown to Boost Well-Being

Interacting with a wide range of people — especially acquaintances and non-family members such as caregivers who work for home care agencies — can help keep seniors more active and healthier longer, according to a new study from the University of Texas at Austin.

The research further reinforces the importance of social determinants of health — economic, social and environmental factors that can influence whether a person becomes sick or needs medical care. There’s a growing push within the health care industry to address these non-medical factors early on, in hopes of reducing spending on health problems down the road.

Studies have long shown that social engagement is good for your health, even linking loneliness to increased mortality comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

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