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Social interaction is not purely linked with community groups, because of other factors such as elderly people’s health condition, and aptitude for social interaction. However, it is clear from other sources that social interaction through activity groups is fundamental, as otherwise elderly people may not interact with other human beings. As a 94 year pensioner from Cambridgeshire says, ''without the elderly action groups, I would never go out of the house. I would never see people. '' Social groups help elderly people talk about their problems, thus making them feel less stress. Elderly people feel accepted and understood. This is clearly beneficial to the mental health of the elderly person.
Studies suggest that elderly people who are isolated and lonely have more health problems. For example, a 1998 study of patients found that symptoms of depression and lack of social support, which is often a problem elderly people face, were associated with medical issues such as more heart attacks and consequently deaths from cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, Dr. Harry Croft, a San Antonio psychiatrist, observed that elderly people who participated in social were the happiest and healthiest. This shows maintaining social ties, and keeping active in the community improves elderly people's mental health. According to the research in the American Journal of Epidemiology, social ties significantly affect the mortality rate of the elderly.
Similarly to that of dogs, social groups provide such a variety of help. For some elderly people, the structure and routine of having a group to attend regularly is important; for some it will be meeting new people, and for some keeping the brain active by stimulation. Elderly people’s cognitions, emotions and physical health are all shaped through interactions with other people.
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Concluding words
The worldwide population over age 65 is expected to more than double from 357 million in 1990 to 761 million in 2025. Sadly, the health of the elderly population is often considered less important than the rest of the population, possibly because poor health and loneliness are thought of as a natural part of becoming old. However, this does not have to be true. Social groups and dog ownership have greatly improved the lives of so many elderly people, mentally, socially and even physically. As a three year analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) about the "social injustice is killing people on a grand scale". Dogs and social groups are undoubtedly lifesaving.