The results of a decades long study from the University College London on the impact of loneliness and isolation has shown that both loneliness and infrequent contact with friends and family can, independently, shorten a person’s life. Learn more about the dangers of seniors living alone. According to AARP, nearly 90% of people over age 65 want to stay at home for as long as possible. Living at home and staying in a familiar community may offer benefits to seniors’ emotional well-being — but research indicates that a staggering number of seniors who should be receiving assisted living care are still living at home in many cases, alone.

To some of us, the answer may seem obvious: make the move to an assisted living community where social activity, health monitoring and medication management is all included. However, moving to senior living can be a difficult decision, particularly if your loved one is not keen on moving.

The Administration on Aging reports that about 29%, or 11.3 million older adults lived alone in 2010. At the same time, it’s estimated that over 12% of seniors 65 and older — more than 5 million need assistance with long-term care to perform activities of daily life.

Those seniors who are low-income or live in poverty are even more likely to live at home rather than in a facility, even if they require more care. The numbers for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia are, quite frankly, startling: of the 60-70% of seniors with dementia living in the community, 25% live alone, reports the Alzheimer’s Association.

Andrew Steptoe, a professor of psychology at University College London, says he was surprised by the results of the social isolation study: Both social isolation and loneliness appeared initially to be associated with a greater risk of dying,” he says. “But it was really the isolation which was more important When Living Alone is Unsafe

If we want our loved ones to remain safe and healthy, it’s important to make sure their environment is appropriate to their physical needs—particularly if they’re showing early signs of cognitive impairment.