“Patients hospitalized for heart problems may be at greater risk of dying within a year of discharge when they live alone or feel lonely, a Danish study suggests.”
The CHABC has a focus on providing training to parishes who are willing to start up a pastoral visitation program that helps to alleviate the loneliness described in the linked article. As pastoral visitors, parishioners can have an incredible impact on alleviating loneliness and improving the quality of life of those who are alone and due to circumstances, are not able to get out and socialize, meet friends and develop relationships, which many of us take for granted as part of our everyday lives. Loneliness is one of the most prevalent reasons that people request physician assisted suicide. We all have the ability to give the gift of companionship and to make a difference in the lives of another.
Click the link to read the article and then ask if there is anything you can do at your parish to help those in need.