Expand Your Circles: Prevent Isolation and Loneliness as You Age (Part 1)
As people age, circumstances in their lives often change. You retire from a job, friends move away, or health issues convince you to eliminate or restrict driving. When changes like these occur, you may not fully realize how they will affect your ability to stay connected and engaged and how much they can impact your overall health and wellbeing.
People need social connection to thrive—no matter their age—but recent research shows that the negative health consequences of chronic isolation and loneliness may be especially harmful for older adults:
- Older adults who describe themselves as lonely have a 59 percent greater risk of functional decline and a 45 percent greater risk of death.1
- About 29 percent of people ages 65 and over live alone, and twice as many women live alone as men.2
- Almost 50 percent of older women ages 75 and over live alone.2
The good news is that with greater awareness, people can take steps to maintain and strengthen their ties to family and friends, expand their social circles and become more involved in their community.
Having a social network that meets your needs means different things to each person. Evaluate your situation, and if needed, take action to strengthen the relationships that matter the most to you. Don't forget—when you open up your world to new people, sharing your time, talents, and wisdom, it's a win-win for you and your entire community.
Problem and Effects of Social Isolation
How widespread is the problem of social isolation?3
An estimated one in five adults over age 50—at least 8 million—are affected by isolation.Prolonged isolation can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Negative Health Effects of Isolation and Loneliness4
Isolation and loneliness are associated with higher rates of
- Chronic health conditions, including heart disease
- Weakened immune system
- Depression and anxiety
- Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
- Admission to nursing homes or use of emergency services
- Death
What are the factors that put you at greater risk?
Factors that put you at greater risk include3
- Living alone*
- Mobility or sensory impairment*
- Major life transitions or losses*
- Low income or limited financial resources
- Being a caregiver for someone with a serious condition
- Psychological or cognitive challenges
- Inadequate social support
- Rural, unsafe, and/or inaccessible neighborhood
- Transportation access challenges
- Language barriers
- Age, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity barriers
(*Indicate top-ranked risk factors.)
Caregivers: These risk factors may also provide you with clues to what to look for should you have a family member or neighbor who is isolated or lonely.
References
- University of California San Francisco. (2012, June 8). Loneliness linked to serious health problems and death among older adults. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://www.ucsf.edu
- Administration on Community Living (ACL). (2016, May). A profile of older Americans: 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://acl.gov
- Elder, K., & Retrum, J. (AARP Foundation). (2012, May). Framework for isolation in adults over 50. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237.
- Cornwell, E.Y., & Waite, L.J. (2009, March). Social disconnectedness, perceived isolation and health among older adults. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50(1), 31–48. doi: 10.1177/002214650905000103
U.S. Administration on Aging, Eldercare Locator. (n.d.). Expand your circles: Prevent isolation and loneliness as you age. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://eldercare.acl.gov