Isolation and Loneliness in Seniors: How To Help

Covered in this guide:

• Seniors With an Increased Risk of Loneliness and Isolation
• Mental and Physical Effects of Isolation and Loneliness
• Organizations That Help Seniors Dealing With Loneliness and Isolation
• Online Resources for Seniors Experiencing Isolation and Loneliness
• State-by-State Resources for Seniors Struggling with Isolation and Loneliness
• Expert Reviewer

Updated: June 29, 2023 | Reviewed by: Deidre Sommerer, LPN, MS, CMC, CDP.

Regular social interaction is essential for maintaining your quality of life as you age. In fact, socializing with others reduces the risk of dementia, improves your self-image and may prevent you from developing certain diseases. Despite the importance of socialization, many seniors are unable to interact with others as often as they'd like due to financial problems, discrimination or health problems. A lack of financial resources makes it difficult to participate in some activities, such as ticketed events or activities requiring expensive equipment, and the potential for discrimination may discourage seniors from attempting to interact with different groups of people.

In simple terms, social isolation is a lack of regular interaction with other people. It's different from loneliness, which is a distressing feeling that occurs when people feel separated from others. Although loneliness and isolation often go hand in hand, they don't always happen at the same time. A senior may feel lonely even if they regularly interact with other people, and someone who lacks social interaction may not feel lonely.

Social isolation has always been a problem for seniors, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it even more difficult to interact with loved ones and community members. Social distancing and lengthy quarantine periods have also prevented many seniors from receiving home meal delivery and other services that provide opportunities for interaction. As a result, seniors are more isolated than ever before.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 25% of adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated. Additionally, one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely. This guide provides information about social isolation and loneliness in seniors, including risk factors, physical effects and mental effects. It also includes a list of organizations and online resources that can help you avoid the negative consequences of social isolation and loneliness.

Seniors With an Increased Risk of Loneliness and Isolation

Seniors in Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities typically offer social and recreational activities to keep residents as engaged as possible. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many communities to cancel scheduled events and limit the number of activities available to residents. Assisted living communities also had to change their visitor policies to protect residents from COVID-19. As a result, some residents felt like they had been abandoned. When combined with feelings of fear and despair, this sense of abandonment leaves seniors feeling lonely and disconnected from their communities.

Seniors in assisted living communities may also have difficulty participating in social activities if they use assistive devices or have health conditions that impair their mobility in some way. These communities are designed to accommodate seniors' needs, but even when a community is well-designed, seniors with disabilities may not be able to access every common area. This reduces the number of opportunities they have to interact with others, increasing the risk of isolation and loneliness.

Veterans

Veterans have an increased risk of social isolation due to the unique combination of three service-related factors. The first factor is difficulty relating to people who've never served in the military. Even if a veteran wasn't deployed to an active combat zone, military life is very different from civilian life. Friends and family members may not understand what it's like to follow a regimented schedule and have little control over the activities you perform each day.

The second factor is reduced contact with fellow service members. If you spent years in the military, you probably formed some close friendships with the other people in your unit. Losing contact with these friends increases the risk of loneliness and may cause veterans to isolate themselves from others. The third factor is the presence of physical or mental health issues. Veterans with physical disabilities may have difficulty accessing public spaces or engaging in certain activities. Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder also make it difficult for some veterans to participate in social activities, increasing the risk of isolation.

Immigrants

Several social conditions increase the risk of isolation among older immigrants, especially if they just arrived in the United States. Language and cultural barriers may prevent senior immigrants from accessing support services, and racism may affect the quality of services provided if an older immigrant is able to identify relevant resources. At the individual level, older immigrants may lack knowledge of the supports available to them. When seniors don't get the social support they need, they may end up feeling lonely.

Seniors Who Live Alone

Living alone makes it a little more difficult to get regular social contact, increasing the risk of isolation and loneliness in seniors. The risk is especially high in seniors who are mourning the loss of a loved one, as the death of a dear friend or close relative leaves a considerable void. If you live alone, you may not have as many opportunities to talk with other people or engage in social activities. The risk is even greater if you have difficulty leaving the house due to a health condition.

Members of the LGBTQ+ Community

LGBTQ+ seniors are less likely to be married or have long-term partners living with them, increasing the risk of social isolation. Many LGBTQ+ seniors have also faced discrimination based on their sexual orientation, making them hesitant to attend community events or join new groups because they assume they won't be welcome. As a result, they're less likely to use senior centers and other resources that could prevent social isolation and loneliness.

Seniors With Disabilities and Chronic Diseases

Seniors with disabilities and chronic diseases have a higher risk of isolation and loneliness than seniors without these health issues. In some cases, isolation occurs due to poor accessibility. Seniors who use wheelchairs may not be able to attend social events due to a lack of accessible walkways or doorways. Older adults who use canes and walkers may have to avoid outdoor events or events that require a lot of walking, as it can be difficult to use mobility aids on uneven surfaces.

For seniors with chronic diseases, it may be difficult to participate in social activities due to joint pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms. The symptoms of depression, anxiety, dementia and other mental health disorders may also interfere with the ability to socialize with others.

Mental and Physical Effects of Isolation and Loneliness

Mental Effects

Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to increased rates of suicide, anxiety and depression. The effects of social isolation on cognitive function are also significant, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that social isolation is associated with a 50% increase in a person's risk for dementia. Loneliness also results in a 26% increase in the risk for dementia, according to Cognitive Vitality, a program administered by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.

Social isolation and loneliness may contribute to the development of dementia in the following ways:

• Increased blood pressure
• Higher levels of inflammation
• Poor sleep quality
• Depression symptoms
• Lack of physical activity
• Decreased mental activity

If a senior already has dementia, social isolation and loneliness can make the symptoms worse. In a study designed to assess the effects of pandemic-related isolation on seniors, researchers discovered that more than half of participants with dementia displayed a significant decline in memory function due to social isolation associated with COVID-19. Participants with moderate to severe dementia also reported increased agitation.

Physical Effects

The mental effects of isolation and loneliness are well-documented, but many people don't realize that social isolation also affects a senior's physical health. According to the National Institute on Aging, isolation and loneliness increase the risk of the following health conditions:

• Obesity
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Immune system dysfunction

Isolated seniors may have fewer opportunities to exercise, making them prone to obesity. As they gain weight, seniors may feel too embarrassed to spend time with loved ones, making loneliness and isolation even worse. Seniors dealing with weight gain may also have difficulty performing certain activities, limiting the number of opportunities they have to interact with others. The longer the vicious cycle continues, the more pronounced the health effects are likely to be. 

A senior who feels lonely or doesn't have much contact with others may also engage in behaviors that increase the risk of health problems, such as smoking, overeating and a lack of exercise. Researchers from UC San Diego discovered that postmenopausal women experiencing isolation and loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic had as much as a 27% increase in their risk for heart disease, for example, due in part to changes in their behavior associated with social distancing and government-mandated lockdowns.

In terms of immune system function, social isolation has been shown to reduce antiviral gene expression, increase inflammation and affect the function of the blood vessels. These changes may increase the risk of other health problems or make it difficult to fight off infections. Immune dysfunction is even more likely in isolated seniors who have post-traumatic stress disorder, are dealing with the recent death of a loved one or struggle with financial instability.

Organizations That Help Seniors Dealing With Loneliness and Isolation

If you're feeling isolated and alone, help is available. The organizations below can help you connect with like-minded people in your community or access mental health services that can help you address symptoms of anxiety, depression and other disorders.

Online Resources for Seniors Experiencing Isolation and Loneliness

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for seniors and their caregivers to access some local resources due to stay-at-home orders, quarantine requirements and visitor restrictions. You may also have difficulty accessing local services if you have a disability that prevents you from entering certain buildings.

If you're experiencing isolation and can't visit a local service provider, there are many online resources to help you connect with others and learn more about the importance of staying engaged. Some of the best resources are listed in the table below.

State-by-State Resources for Seniors Struggling with Isolation and Loneliness

If you or a loved one is experiencing loneliness and isolation, there are state programs that connect seniors to community programs, helplines and support services. Find your state below and explore the resources available to you.

Expert Reviewer

Deidre Sommerer, LPN, MS, CMC, CDP.

Deidre has worked in the healthcare field for over 35 years and specializes in Geriatrics. Deidre is a nurse who holds a certification from the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She has worked across all healthcare settings, with a concentration on the community and helping older and disabled adults age in place. She has worked on NIH grant-funded program evaluation projects and considers herself a life-long learner. Deidre is a valued team member at The Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging in Hartford, CT.