The Impact of Loneliness on Seniors And Ways To Alleviate It

We are living in a lonely and disconnected world. Even before the pandemic, loneliness and social isolation were major health concerns in America. A nationally representative survey conducted in 2024 by the Harvard Graduate School of Education reported that over 20% of Americans say that they are lonely. The data also suggested that among lonely people, there are additional underlying feelings of anxiety, depression, and lack of meaning in life. An overwhelming number of these lonely people identify technology as the primary cause of their loneliness. 

Loneliness and social isolation result in poor health outcomes. Social isolation is defined as having an objective lack of interaction with other people and can involve living alone or having a limited network. Loneliness, on the other hand, is the subjective distress that people feel if their relationships are unsatisfying or don’t meet their needs for intimacy or connection. 

The journal Nature Human Behavior published an article in June 2023 that suggested people who experienced social isolation and loneliness were more likely to die sooner than their peers who weren’t socially isolated and/or lonely. 

More than 1 in 6 Americans is 65 years or older. And more than 25% of that cohort feel lonely and/or socially isolated.  Among séniors, the National Institute on Aging estimates that an increase in dementia is related to loneliness and social isolation. It’s not clear what the reason is. One possibility is that socially-isolated elders engage in more unhealthy behaviors, such as being sedentary, having poor diets, and smoking. But it’s also possible that the increase in dementia among this cohort is due to the fact that they have less mental stimulation than their peers who have a strong community. 

During the December holidays, seniors are often lonelier than ever. Here are some significant risk factors for loneliness in the elderly community:

• Being an immigrant separated from loved ones and their home country
• Feeling marginalized
• Living alone
• Being physically limited by illness or disability
• Lacking the financial resources to engage in activities or visit others
• Grieving the loss of a loved one
• Not having meaningful outlets for talents
• Working as a full-time caregiver
• Suffering from incontinence
• Lacking the ability to leave home due to transportation issues
• Communication struggles
• Feeling depressed or anxious
• Lacking motivation to reach out

Suggestions For Helping Seniors 

If you have a senior in your family or among your loved ones, how can you help them? Here are a number of suggestions that may help simularé your thinking. 

• Every community has trained caregivers who can assist seniors with the activities of daily living. Activities of daily living include bathing, toileting, dressing, and medication management. These home care assistants can also provide companionship and conversation.
• A number of local, state, and federal services exist to help seniors and provide them with a connection to others in their community. For example, Meals on Wheels is a federal program that delivers nutritious meals directly to seniors’ homes, often accompanied by a friendly check-in.
• Some states offer Friendly Visitor Programs, where volunteers come by regularly to socially isolated and lonely seniors to offer conversation, games, and a listening ear.
• Don’t forget the increasing prevalence of telehealth services, where people of all ages, including seniors, can videoconference with healthcare providers and therapists, allowing medical care and mental health support from the comfort of home.
• If the senior in your life doesn’t have a smartphone or tablet, consider buying one for them and helping them learn to use it. This will enable them to chat with families, friends, online senior communities, and other social media platforms. 
• Many online groups are specifically geared toward seniors, offering opportunities to share conversation, hobbies, and experiences. Puzzles, brain teasers, and online games can stimulate the mind and provide a sense of accomplishment, while offering opportunities to connect online with others who enjoy similar activities.
• There is likely a Senior Center in your elder friend’s community. They exist to offer social events, fitness classes, and educational programs to the elderly.
• Many churches, synagogues, and other places of worship have active senior groups that provide social interaction, spiritual support, and a sense of community.
• If your aging senior is able, volunteering allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment while connecting with organizations whose values they embrace. 

Your area agency on aging (AAA) is a government-funded agency that offers a wealth of resources for seniors, including information on in-home care, transportation assistance, and social programs. You can find your local AAA by calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. In addition, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) offers significant resources on senior health, including resources on combating loneliness and social isolation.

The best way to start is by discussing this issue with your friend or family member. Talk frankly with them about their feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Let them know about the opportunities you have discovered to help them combat these feelings, and let them explore their interests. It is important that they take ownership of the next steps that they wish to take, and it’s important to start with manageable steps that let them gradually build their social connections. You can offer support with technology, transportation, and any other challenges they may face. 

Contact Davidow, Davidow, Siegel & Stern, LLC

As premier Long Island elder law attorneys, we have many decades of experience working with the aging population and their families. We can help you with estate planning, family trusts, and many other legal solutions. Aging can be difficult and discouraging for many people, but our years of experience can significantly alleviate your worries. Contact us today so we can help you move into the future with confidence.