Care homes dead boring

GOING into a care home can make elderly residents give up on life, researchers say.

A lack of mental stimulation often causes apathy which can lead to premature death, a study has revealed.

The Dutch study found half of nursing home residents are suffering from apathy which has left them ‘‘indifferent’’ to everyday life. Apathy, which is distinct from depression and can often go unnoticed, was found to increase the risk of older people dying within the next four months.