Loneliness: a common issue

Training activity organised by the Innovation Unit of Cruces University Hospital (Barakaldo, Bizkaia) as part of its innovation sessions (#berripills). The speakers at the event were Roberto Nuño, Director of Matia Osasun (health services of the Matia Foundation) and Sara Marsillas, researcher at Matia Institute, who presented the work of the Matia Foundation and the research being carried out by Matia Institute in the field of unwanted loneliness.
Roberto explained how the organisation works and contextualised the importance of changing the model of care for older people. Sara presented the results of some of her research on so-called ‘unwanted loneliness’, introducing this concept and delving into the importance of managing emotions in old age, meaningful ageing and social health care, connection and belonging.
Among the research findings shared by Matia Institute were: Bakardadeak, a study of loneliness in Gipuzkoa; Soledades de la Encuesta Condiciones de vida (Loneliness in the Living Conditions Survey); and SEE ME, an Erasmus+ project.