Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults: Health Risks and Ways to Reconnect

Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older Adults

Need to talk to someone right now? Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. It's free, confidential, and open 24/7.[3] In immediate danger, call 911.

Key takeaways

• About one in four Americans 65+ living in the community are socially isolated.[2]

• Isolation is having few contacts. Loneliness is feeling alone. You can have one without the other.[1]

• The U.S. Surgeon General reports loneliness and isolation are tied to higher risk of early death, heart disease, stroke, and dementia.[1]

• Small daily actions—a phone call, a shared meal, volunteering—are a real place to start.[1]

• Related: Hearing loss and dementia

• Related: Memory loss vs. dementia signs

• Related: Caregiver burnout and support

• Related: What to do when someone dies

Writing down life memories can reconnect generations:

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Loneliness vs. social isolation

Definitions from the Surgeon General's Advisory and the National Academies.[1][2]

What the research links to loneliness and isolation

From the 2023 Surgeon General's Advisory, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation:[1]

About the "15 cigarettes" comparison: The Advisory says lacking social connection can raise the risk of early death about as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.[1] This compares death risk in large pooled studies. It does not mean loneliness harms your lungs or is the same as smoking in every way.

These are associations from studies, not proof that loneliness alone causes these problems.

Common causes after 60

• Retirement, or friends moving away
• Losing a spouse or close friend (see what to do when someone dies)
• Hearing loss making conversations tiring (see hearing loss and dementia)
• Giving up driving, or health problems that keep you home
• Caregiving that leaves little free time (see caregiver burnout and support)

The National Academies list these kinds of life changes as risk factors.[2]

A 7-day reconnect plan (our checklist)

Try one each day. Don't worry about doing them all.

• Day 1: Answer or return one phone call you'd usually skip.[1]
• Day 2: Share a meal with someone—in person or by video.[1]
• Day 3: Call a senior center or library to ask about classes.
• Day 4: Sign up to volunteer for one shift.[1]
• Day 5: Get your hearing checked if conversations are hard.
• Day 6: Join a walking group, faith group, or club.
• Day 7: Ask a grandchild to set up video calls on your phone.

For families: how to check on a parent

• Call on a regular schedule, not only when there's a problem.
• Ask directly: "Do you ever feel lonely?" Many people won't say it first.
• Watch for changes: skipping meals, stopping hobbies, not leaving home.
• If you see signs of depression for weeks, help them talk with their doctor.

If someone talks about wanting to die, call or text 988 together, or call 911 if they're in danger.[3]

FAQ

Is living alone the same as being lonely?
No. Many people live alone and feel connected. Others live with family and feel lonely.[1]

Can online contact help?
It can. The Advisory notes most older adults now use the internet, and technology can help—but it shouldn't replace in-person connection when possible.[1]

Sources

1. Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2023. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2026.
2. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2020. doi:10.17226/25663. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25663. Accessed October 29, 2026.
3. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/. Accessed October 29, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is for general education only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Talk to your doctor about your situation. In an emergency, call 911. If you or someone you love is in emotional crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

Attribution

Portions of this page are adapted from "HowToLiveBetter" (高性价比人生指南) by eternity4719, https://github.com/eternity4719/HowToLiveBetter, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Changes: topic idea (staying connected when friends and relatives are few) adapted from Chapter 29; all data re-sourced to the Surgeon General's Advisory and National Academies; adapted and rewritten for the U.S. context (not a direct translation), and re-sourced to U.S. research and official guidance.