Family, not friends, lowers death risk in old age 

I thought close friends would also improve longevity. But not this time:

“It is no secret that being around friends and family in older age can benefit health; loneliness among seniors has been linked to increased risk of depression, heart disease, and more. According to a new study, however, only family can lower mortality risk in later life.

Having more family and feeling closer to relatives in later life may improve longevity.Lead author James Iveniuk, of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, Canada, and colleagues found that older adults who have more family members and who are closer to their family have a lower risk of death, though the same link could not be made with friends.”

Source: Family, not friends, lowers death risk in older age – Medical News Today