How to Combat Loneliness in Older Adults

 

If you feel lonely from time to time, know that you’re not alone. Studies show that one in three adults aged 50 to 80 reported feeling lonely and isolated over the past year.

In this blog, you’ll find six practical tips for combating loneliness in seniors that will help reduce feelings of loneliness. We’ll cover everything from community activities to technology options that can help you stay connected.

Understanding Senior Loneliness

Although loneliness can affect anyone, it is particularly common among seniors. Loneliness is more than just a negative emotion; it can also significantly impact your health and well-being.

Some of the adverse side effects of loneliness and social isolation include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Depression
• Memory issues
• Anxiety
• Dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease)
• Shorter lifespan

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to limit some of these negative effects. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), “One in five cases of depression in older adults could be prevented by reducing loneliness.”

Common Causes & Challenges of Senior Loneliness

Combating loneliness starts with understanding why it happens in the first place. It’s not uncommon to deal with isolation as we age. Life changes such as retirement, friends moving away, or health challenges can all contribute to feeling disconnected.

Most of the time, these struggles result from your environment. For example, you may live alone or face illnesses that make it difficult to participate in activities you previously enjoyed.

Add isolation to age-related health issues, such as being hearing impaired, and it can lead to further complications of existing conditions.

The good news is that there are many ways to rebuild connections, even if your circumstances have changed.

Let’s cover specific steps you can take to combat senior loneliness.

1) Get Involved in Your Community

One of the best ways to fight loneliness in old age is to reconnect with our community. Volunteering for local charities and groups can make a big difference. If you enjoy reading, you might like helping children learn to read. If you have a passion for gardening, consider joining a communal garden. If you love history, think about volunteering at a local museum. Getting involved can bring joy and connection!

Local social service agencies, community and senior centers, and public libraries are also great places to start when looking for community involvement resources. For tech-savvy seniors, social media and sites like Virtual Senior Center are great places to meet new friends and learn new technology from the comfort of your own home.

2) Connect with Family and Friends

Creating and maintaining connections with family and friends can have a very positive impact on your mental health. Having strong connections with loved ones can decrease the risk of depression and loneliness as well as help reduce stress, promote cardiovascular health, and improve self-esteem.

Staying connected by talking on the phone can be hard for those with hearing loss, but it’s important for fighting feelings of isolation and loneliness. Thankfully, modern technology like hearing aids, hearing devices, and caption phones can help seniors communicate better and stay connected.

And it’s never been easier to stay in touch with friends, family, and loved ones. Thanks to a federally managed program, the ClearCaptions Phone is available to qualified individuals at no cost. This special caption phone turns the words callers say into text you can read on a large screen. If you have hearing loss and could benefit from near-real-time captions of your conversations, check your eligibility for the ClearCaptions service today.

3) Join a Group Exercise Class

Joining a group exercise class is another great way to stay healthy and connected. When you exercise and move your body at least 150 minutes each week, or just 30 minutes a day, four days a week, you will benefit from the release of endorphins, reduction of stress, and improved body image. If you’re looking for a great way to stay fit, try finding (or creating!) a local exercise community.

4) Adopt a Pet

A furry new friend is the perfect way to combat loneliness and isolation in older adults. Studies show that just 15 minutes with an animal can reduce stress levels, increase serotonin levels, and decrease feelings of isolation and depression.

If you want to add a new friend to your family, visit your local animal shelter or humane society to adopt the right pet for you. Human and pet interactions can help lower cholesterol levels and even protect against heart disease and stroke. However, if you’re unable to adopt, consider simply volunteering at your local shelter. This is also a great way to meet other like-minded volunteers.

5) Find Time for Hobbies

Whether or not you have a hobby that you love doing, many local senior and community centers, as well as local libraries, offer a variety of in-person courses and programs. Do you love to sing, paint, or knit? What about sculpting, woodworking, or pottery? If you’re tech-savvy, consider using social media to find a group or class near you.

6) Join Online Communities

If getting out of the house is a struggle, bring the community and connection to you! There are many online communities designed especially for seniors to find new friends and stay connected to the outside world.

If you’re new to the online community, try AARP, Meetup, Silversurfers, or Senior Planet to get started.

Additional Resources

• Although it can sometimes seem like seniors and loneliness go hand-in-hand, the good news is that there are many incredible resources available to help.
• Eldercare Locator: This is a great resource to connect with public services for seniors and their families, including community service programs. You can also call 800-677-1116.
• Expand Your Circles: This document provides a list of resources to support seniors who are struggling with isolation and loneliness.
• Friendship Line: This accredited service offers 24/7 support services, including suicide intervention. You don’t have to be in crisis to call—the Friendship Line is also a warmline with staffers who can offer a listening ear and provide information and referrals for seniors experiencing isolation. Call toll-free at 800-971-0016.
• Dial “211”: In many states, dialing “211” provides the caller in need a direct way to connect with needed health and human service agencies.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to addressing loneliness in older adults. The resources and ideas noted here are just a few of the ways that you can connect with services, organizations, and communities. Our goal is to enable our customers to live better lives through connection, independence, and care!