Q: I feel stuck in the house and disconnected from the world since I retired. I live alone, so it gets pretty lonely. Can you help? — Steve R., Chicago
A: You’re smart to want to break out of feeling lonely. More than 16 million older Americans live alone — and many struggle with the risks to health that are associated with being isolated, such as sedentary habits, overindulgence in alcohol, and unhealthy food choices. Loneliness also promotes cardiovascular disease and cognition problems.
