Loneliness and Aging
The gap between the social connection someone has and the connection they want, in later life.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- Linked to: higher risk of heart disease, stroke, depression and dementia
- Hearing loss: a major contributor to social withdrawal
- Most useful single change: Ask your doctor or local Area Agency on Aging about programs near you.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming it means something is wrong with you.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
Loneliness and social isolation are linked to worse heart health, depression and cognitive decline.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Linked to | higher risk of heart disease, stroke, depression and dementia |
| Hearing loss | a major contributor to social withdrawal |
| Local help | senior centers and your local Area Agency on Aging |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | call or text 988, any time |
What helps
- Ask your doctor or local Area Agency on Aging about programs near you
- Treat hearing loss, which is a common hidden cause
- Choose regular, structured contact over occasional big events
- Volunteer, which brings contact with a purpose
What to avoid
- Assuming it means something is wrong with you
- Withdrawing further as activities become harder
- Waiting to feel like socializing before arranging anything
In depth
Loneliness is the painful feeling that your social connections fall short of what you need, either in number or in closeness. Social isolation is the objective state of having few relationships or little contact with others. The two often go together, but not always: someone can live alone and feel content, while another person surrounded by family can feel deeply lonely.
Later life brings changes that can loosen social ties. Retirement removes daily contact with colleagues. Friends and partners may die or move away. Health problems, hearing and vision loss, giving up driving, and caring responsibilities can all make it harder to get out and see people. These changes often come gradually, so loneliness can creep up without being noticed.
Research links loneliness and social isolation to higher risks of heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and dementia, as well as earlier death. Chronic loneliness may affect health through stress hormones, inflammation, poor sleep and less healthy habits. The encouraging message is that social connection can be rebuilt at any age, and even small, regular contacts make a difference.
Signs and symptoms
- Feeling left out, unwanted or that no one really knows you
- Spending most days without meaningful conversation
- Losing interest in activities or turning down invitations
- Poor sleep, low energy or changes in appetite
- Feeling sad, anxious or irritable more often
- Relying on the TV or radio for company most of the day
Causes and risk factors
- Bereavement, especially the loss of a spouse or partner
- Retirement and loss of the social structure of work
- Hearing or vision loss that makes conversation tiring
- Mobility problems or no longer driving
- Living alone or far from family
- Caring for a partner, which can limit time for other relationships
How it is checked
There is no medical test for loneliness, but your doctor can ask about your social life, mood and daily routine. Some practices use short questionnaires as part of the Annual Wellness Visit or a yearly checkup. Speaking openly about loneliness helps your doctor understand your situation and point you to support.
Because loneliness often goes along with depression, anxiety, hearing loss or memory problems, your doctor may check for these too. Screening for depression is a routine part of care for adults. Identifying and treating these conditions can make it easier to reconnect with others.
Related topics
- The Evidence on Loneliness, Without the Hype (Mental Health)
- Dementia Risk Reduction: What Published Guidance Supports (Brain Health)
- Hearing Loss: What the Evidence Actually Says (Hearing Health)
- Teen Mental Health and 988: What Published Guidance Supports (Teen Health)
Where to go next
- Loneliness and Aging: A Practical Checklist
- Myths About Loneliness and Aging, Checked Against the Guidance
- Healthy Aging: The Complete Guide
- Continence: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
- Staying Independent: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to get help
See your doctor 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, call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any hour, and call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Where this comes from
- National Institute on Aging — Loneliness and Social Isolation: Tips for Staying Connected
- HHS — Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory
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, summarized or generalized 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 your doctor, 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 911.