Help for Older Adults Experiencing Loneliness and Isolation

Many people feel lonely or isolated as they get older. As people age, changing circumstances can make it harder to stay connected with others. Retirement may mean losing touch with your colleagues and work friends. Over the years, family members may pass away, move out of state or get too busy to visit as often as they’d like. You could also find yourself facing health challenges that make it harder to socialize, such as hearing problems or mobility loss.

Since chronic loneliness among seniors predates the coronavirus pandemic, public health measures and fears of contracting the virus have significantly worsened the situation. In June 2020, 56% of 50- to 80-year-olds reported feeling isolated from others, about twice as many who said the same in October 2018. Since ongoing loneliness can lead to serious health problems, this is a public health crisis in its own right.

This guide aims to help older adults who are experiencing loneliness and isolation. Keep reading to learn who’s at risk of loneliness and how it can affect your health. It also includes a list of resources that can help you feel more connected.

Anyone could experience a loss of social connections and feelings of loneliness as they get older, but some groups of seniors are more vulnerable than others. Read on to learn who’s most at risk of loneliness.

In the United States, about one-quarter (27%) of older adults live alone. While some people may enjoy living by themselves, others may feel isolated without the company of a spouse, children or other family members. Seniors who live alone may struggle to maintain ties to their loved ones.

About two in five seniors in the United States are living with some type of disability, such as vision loss, hearing loss or difficulty walking. These health challenges can make it difficult to participate in your favorite social activities. Staying socially connected can be even harder for seniors who are no longer able to drive or struggle to leave their homes.

Seniors who are unable to live independently may move into a residential care facility, such as an assisted living community or nursing home. While these settings offer social support and the opportunity to connect with other seniors, it’s common to feel lonely in a new environment until you feel comfortable.

Many older adults don’t have enough retirement income to get by. In fact, about one in three seniors were economically insecure in 2018. Seniors with higher incomes may also struggle to meet the rising cost of necessities. When you’re living on a tight budget in retirement, you may not be able to afford to dine out, take trips to visit family or participate in other activities that help you stay connected.

Loneliness is common among U.S. military veterans; a survey of predominantly older veterans found that nearly one in five often felt lonely. The relocations and deployments that occur during military service can make it harder to maintain a strong social network back home, and if you have combat-related mental health challenges, you may struggle to maintain relationships.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors may face unique challenges as they age. Research shows that they’re more likely to live alone than non-LGBT seniors, and they’re also less likely to have adult children for support and companionship. They may avoid meeting new people for fear of discrimination or abuse due to their sexual orientation.

Senior immigrants and refugees may face loneliness and isolation in the United States. Newcomers may miss the friends and family members they left behind in their home country. With obstacles, such as cultural differences and language barriers, building a new social circle in America can be easier said than done. 

Loneliness is more than just an unpleasant emotion. Chronic loneliness and social isolation can have a significant impact on a senior’s overall health and well-being. Keep reading to learn about the potential health consequences of loneliness.

Chronic loneliness has been linked to a number of physical health problems. Seniors who often feel socially isolated may face a higher risk of:

• Heart disease and stroke. Recent research published in Heart, a leading cardiology journal, reported that feeling lonely or socially isolated was associated with a 29% higher risk of heart disease. Poor social relationships were linked to a 32% higher risk of stroke.
• Dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that seniors who are socially isolated could have a 50% higher risk of developing dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a well-known type of dementia.
• Premature death. Loneliness may be an important risk factor for early mortality. According to a review of 35 scientific studies published in the journal PLoS One, feeling lonely is associated with a 22% higher risk of dying of any cause.

Mental health is an important part of your overall health, and like physical health, it can be negatively impacted by loneliness. Research shows that people who feel isolated or lonely may have a higher risk of:

• Depression: Feeling lonely is a risk factor for depression in seniors. In fact, a large, long-term study of people aged 50 and older found that up to one in five cases of depression were linked to loneliness. Plus, higher levels of loneliness were associated with more severe depressive symptoms. 
• Anxiety: Older adults who feel socially disconnected and isolated have a higher risk of anxiety, according to research published in The Lancet Public Health. When you feel anxious, you may withdraw from social situations, fueling the cycle of loneliness and isolation.

Fortunately, there are many resources that can help you avoid loneliness and its potential health consequences as you age. Keep reading to learn about the many organizations and resources that can help you feel connected.

No matter where you live, there are a variety of resources that could help you feel less lonely. National organizations help seniors throughout the country by providing friendly check-ins, volunteer projects, socialization opportunities and other initiatives. There are also organizations that serve seniors over a multistate service area. In the chart below, you’ll find some notable organizations that help fight loneliness.

There are many online resources that can help seniors combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. The websites below provide information about how to cope with loneliness, grow your social network and use technology to stay in touch with friends and family members.

Each state government offers resources for seniors who are struggling with loneliness or isolation. Some states offer campaigns to combat loneliness directly, while others provide a variety of aging resources that could indirectly help seniors feel less isolated, such as transportation assistance or help finding employment. In the chart below, you’ll find the department within your state’s government that supports isolated seniors.