Episode Description
Loneliness is more than a feeling. It’s a public health issue. In this powerful and deeply insightful episode, Coral speaks with internationally recognised researcher Dr Rosanne Freak-Poli to unpack the real-world impact of loneliness and social isolation on our health, especially as we age. From cardiovascular risk to dementia, Rosanne shares compelling evidence that social health is just as vital as physical and mental wellbeing.
Connection shapes our lives, no matter who we are. Whether you're a family member, aged care provider, health professional, or simply a member of the community, this episode describes strategies that are already changing lives across Australia. If you’ve ever wondered how many close connections you really need, or how volunteering could transform someone’s health, this conversation is for you.
In this episode:
- The difference between loneliness, social isolation, and social support
- The surprising health risks linked to loneliness
- Social isolation affects lifestyle behaviours, while loneliness triggers biological stress responses
- How many social connections you need to protect your health
- Gender differences in how loneliness is experienced and reported
- The different effects informal caregiving has for women and men
- Resources to help people connect locally
- Challenges and creative solutions for connecting people with mobility or cognitive limitations
- How volunteering benefits both recipients and volunteers
- Social prescribing, how it works, and why it’s gaining traction in Australia
- Where to find support
- How ASPIRE is leading the way in social prescribing research and education
- Quality of life, not just longevity, should be available to everyone
Resources mentioned:
- Ending loneliness together
- Heart foundation walking groups
- Men’s sheds
- My community directory
- Australian neighbourhood houses and centres association
- U3A
- Beyond blue (phone 1300 224 636)
- Friendline (phone 1800 424 287)
- Lifeline Australia (phone 131114)
- ASPIRE website
- ASPIRE LinkedIn
Related episodes:
- Episode 53 - Pharmacy addressing loneliness and social isolation
- Episode 54 – What is social prescribing?
- Episode 55 – The aged care volunteer visitors scheme
Connect with Dr Rosanne Freak-Poli
Connect with Coral Wilkinson:
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More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:
Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.
We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.
Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.
Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.
Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.
Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.
We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.
Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.
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