Many older adults live alone, and life changes such as retirement, the loss of a spouse, moving or health problems can shrink our social circles. Feeling lonely now and then is normal. But long-term loneliness and social isolation affect more than mood.
Research has linked them with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and dementia. In 2023, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory warning that a lack of social connection carries health risks comparable to well-known dangers such as smoking.
Loneliness and isolation are different
- Social isolation means having few relationships or little contact with others.
- Loneliness is the feeling of being alone or disconnected, even if you are around people.
You can feel lonely in a crowd, or live alone and feel content. What matters is whether your connections feel meaningful to you.
Start small
You do not need to transform your social life overnight. Small, regular steps add up:
- Schedule a weekly phone or video call with a family member or old friend.
- Say yes to one invitation you might normally decline.
- Get to know a neighbor. Offer to share garden vegetables or check on each other during storms.
- Return to something you used to enjoy, such as singing, cards or a sport.
Places to meet people
- Senior centers offer meals, classes, exercise groups and trips, often free or at low cost.
- Libraries host book clubs, talks, technology help and hobby groups.
- Faith communities often have groups for older members.
- Volunteering connects you with people who share your interests. See volunteering after retirement.
- Classes, from community college courses to art and exercise classes. See learning something new after 60.
- Walking groups, gardening clubs and choirs.
Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you what is available nearby. Find it through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
When something is in the way
- Hearing loss can make conversations exhausting. A hearing check can help you reconnect. See hearing check signs.
- Transportation problems: ask about senior transportation services, paratransit or volunteer driver programs.
- Mobility or health limits: phone groups, video calls and online classes let you connect from home. See staying close to family with video calls.
- Grief: support groups help many people after a loss. See coping with grief.
Pets and routines
A pet can provide companionship and a reason to get out and talk with neighbors, though pets are a big responsibility. See pets and older adults. Daily routines, such as a morning walk or a regular coffee spot, also create chances for friendly contact.
When to get more help
Loneliness can lead to, or come from, depression. Talk with your doctor if you have felt sad, empty or uninterested in things for more than two weeks. Depression is common and treatable at any age.
If you are in crisis, feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.
