Loneliness and Ageing: Common Questions
The gap between the social connection someone has and the connection they want, in later life.
Last revised
Loneliness and Ageing: the questions people actually ask, answered from published guidance.
Key takeaways
- Associated with: raised cardiovascular risk, depression and cognitive decline
- Social prescribing: available through many GP practices
- Most useful single change: Ask a GP about social prescribing and local link workers.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming it reflects something wrong with you.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
What is Loneliness and Ageing?
The gap between the social connection someone has and the connection they want, in later life.
Why does it matter?
It is associated with worse cardiovascular and cognitive outcomes, independently of how many people someone actually sees.
Associated with for Loneliness and Ageing?
Raised cardiovascular risk, depression and cognitive decline.
Social prescribing for Loneliness and Ageing?
Available through many GP practices.
Hearing loss for Loneliness and Ageing?
A major contributor to social withdrawal.
Most affected groups for Loneliness and Ageing?
People over 75 and young adults.
What is the single most useful thing to do?
Ask a GP about social prescribing and local link workers.
What is the most common mistake?
Assuming it reflects something wrong with you.
When should I see a doctor?
See a GP if loneliness comes with low mood lasting more than two weeks, loss of interest in things you enjoy, or changes in sleep or appetite. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or call the Samaritans free on 116 123 at any hour.
Where to go next
- Understanding Loneliness and Ageing: A Plain-English Explainer
- A Working Checklist for Loneliness and Ageing
- Loneliness and Ageing — the reference entry
- Continence: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
- Staying Independent: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to get help
See a GP if loneliness comes with low mood lasting more than two weeks, loss of interest in things you enjoy, or changes in sleep or appetite. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or call the Samaritans free on 116 123 at any hour.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
