[trentnix]

It doesn't even have to be medical emergencies that go unnoticed. There are other declining health metrics that an independent observer might notice that a person is not aware of or is unwilling to confront. If there's no one to say "you might want to get that checked out", you probably won't get that checked out!

No mistake, almost all of us can refer to an anecdote of an elderly relative dying soon after their spouse. It can be both tragic and, in hindsight, romantic. But really, the consequences of loneliness are often and unfortunately quite practical.

[AaronAPU]

There’s another side where the people you’re around downplay any sort of medical concern you have and actually discourage getting help.

So I guess you have:

bad company < no company < good company

[trentnix]

That's only the case if you're unaware you're in bad company! I've known a few people that were excellent weathervanes as long as you were aware there were going to always be wrong by 180 degrees.

[AaronAPU]

That’s a good framing. Just gotta be careful not to let it turn you cynical over time.