Spotting Signs of Loneliness in Older Adults

Loneliness and social isolation in older adults is common, with about 20% of seniors experiencing social isolation, and 37% reporting feeling lonely. But for older adults experiencing social isolation and loneliness, it can feel like you’re the only one.

While both social isolation and loneliness are prevalent in seniors, they aren’t exactly the same thing. Social isolation is when you are alone or have little contact with others, and loneliness describes the emotion of feeling lonely. This is why it’s possible to be surrounded by other people and still feel completely alone.

If you’re looking for support for yourself or a loved one, help is there for you. It’s possible to combat isolation and loneliness at any age with the right support. This article covers the root causes of isolation and loneliness in older adults, subtle warning signs of related mental health concerns that can be easy to miss, and practical tips to rebuild connection.

Key takeaways

• Multiple factors can increase the risk of loneliness and social isolation in seniors, loss of close friends or family members, limited mobility, and trouble using technology to connect with others.
• Unaddressed loneliness and social isolation in older adults can lead to depression, anxiety, chronic health conditions, and even cognitive decline and dementia.
• Loneliness and isolation in later life can be helped by connecting with others in your community, volunteering, pursuing interests and hobbies, and addressing mental health issues with a therapist. 

Root causes of loneliness and why seniors are at risk

While many people think that getting older causes loneliness or isolation, aging itself isn’t a main cause of loneliness in seniors. It’s also important to understand that the causes of loneliness and social isolation in the elderly are bi-directional. This means the causes of social isolation can affect the outcomes, and vice versa. 

For example, having a chronic health condition can make it more difficult to leave your house, but isolation also increases the risk of developing chronic health conditions.

Here’s what to know about the primary causes of loneliness and social isolation among seniors. 

Life transitions

Getting older involves many life transitions that can increase the chances of social isolation, including:

• Retirement
• Spouses, close family members, or friends passing away
• Relocation
• Change in financial status
• Decreased driving ability and transportation options
• Lack of access or inability to use technology to connect with family and friends

Any of these life transitions can affect a person’s support network and community involvement, which is another risk factor for loneliness.

Chronic health conditions

Certain health conditions can increase your risk of experiencing isolation or loneliness. These include heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Other conditions common among seniors—like frailty, mobility issues, vision problems, and hearing issues—can make it more difficult to socialize, contributing to feelings of loneliness. 

Mental health and cognitive issues

Elderly people with mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, are more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness. Social anxiety in particular can be a significant risk factor. The same is true for older people with cognitive issues or dementia—these can also increase risk of loneliness and social isolation. 

How social isolation impacts health in seniors

Whether you’re experiencing it yourself, or seeing signs in a loved one, loneliness and social isolation in the elderly should not be ignored. That’s because they can have significant negative impacts on all aspects of an aging person’s life.

Research has shown that social isolation and loneliness in older adults can decrease overall health and well-being and increase risk of:

• Depression and anxiety
• Alcoholism or substance abuse
• Sleep difficulties like insomnia and frequent waking
• Cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s
• Cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure
• Early death

There’s also research showing that loneliness can increase inflammation in the body and weaken the immune system, putting you at risk of serious diseases, making it harder to heal from injuries, and increasing the risk of developing chronic health conditions.

It’s not all gloom and doom, though. Some more hopeful research found that when loneliness and social isolation are addressed in seniors, their sense of purpose increases, they have better moods, they have increased cognitive function, and their overall well being improves. 

Warning signs loneliness is affecting mental health

Loneliness, social isolation, and depression in the elderly is often a hidden experience and one that can be hard to talk about. Although some people are more communicative about what’s going on, your loved one might not come out and say “I’m lonely” or “No one needs me anymore.” Instead, they may show more subtle signs.   

Red flags that loneliness needs attention include:

• Withdrawing from activities or hobbies they once enjoyed
• Avoiding contact with family, friends, or caregivers
• Skipping social gatherings or leaving shortly after arriving
• Neglecting personal hygiene, grooming, or health needs
• Letting their living space become cluttered or poorly maintained
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Noticeable changes in relationships or social behavior
• Missing medical appointments, failing to pay bills, or not filling prescriptions
• Increased vulnerability to scams, excessive online shopping, or over-subscribing to services
• Appearing persistently moody, withdrawn, depressed, or “not themselves” 

Ways older adults can reconnect

While loneliness and social isolation in seniors can feel distressing and unmanageable when you are in the thick of it, you aren’t totally powerless. There are steps you can take to deepen connections and address feelings of loneliness.

Here are some strategies for combating social isolation in seniors. 

How loved ones can offer support

It can be upsetting to watch an older loved one struggle with loneliness or social isolation. Fortunately, there are several ways you can help ease the burden, including:

• Assisting with video calling services like FaceTime or Zoom
• Setting them up with “one-touch” video calling devices or smartphones designed specifically for seniors
• Connecting with geriatric care managers or senior community services in your loved one’s area to learn about local social programs
• Scheduling regular phone calls, video chats, or in-person visits so your loved one has something to look forward to
• Being an open and active listener and watching for subtle signs that loneliness is becoming a bigger problem

Tips for seniors

Taking the first step toward connection can feel challenging. Managing loneliness and social isolation often requires a conscious effort to reach out—but it doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. You can approach connection in ways that fit your personality and comfort level.

Here are some options to consider:

• Contact your local senior center to learn about nearby classes and activities
• Join a gardening club, knitting circle, walking group, or book club (whatever matches your interests)
• If a senior center doesn’t appeal to you, check for social activities at your local library or coffee shop
• Consider volunteering in your community
• Join a faith-based or spiritual organization
• Explore part-time work for added purpose and structure
• Consider adopting a pet
• Make conversation with people in your community, such as neighbors, mail carriers, or cashiers
• Make an effort to care for yourself by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating balanced meals

How to talk to your family about loneliness and social isolation

Many older adults find it difficult to share feelings of vulnerability with family members. Still, loved ones often want to help—you just may need to open the door.

Here are a few conversation starters you can use:

• “I’ve noticed that the more time I spend indoors, the more tired and low-energy I feel. What do you think I should do about this?”
• “I’d like to revisit some activities and hobbies I had to put aside when I was younger. Could you help me find some good options?”
• “This is hard for me to share, but I’ve been feeling more lonely lately. Do you think I should talk to my doctor about this?”
• “I know you’re busy, but I’d really like to find more ways we can spend time together that work with your schedule.” 

Professional help to combat the effects of loneliness

Combating loneliness and social isolation often involves reaching out for help and making an effort to engage with others. Sometimes, though, those steps can feel overwhelming or even impossible to contemplate. That’s okay, and completely understandable.

Loneliness and social isolation can increase feelings of depression and anxiety, which can make it harder to find a way forward. This is where therapy can help. Therapy can help you better understand why you feel the way you do and provide tools to manage symptoms and cope more effectively.

Some types of therapy that may be helpful for seniors experiencing loneliness include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Grief and bereavement counseling
• Exposure therapy

Companions and helpers

For some older adults, hiring a companion or helper can also be beneficial. Companions can spend time with you and assist with tasks that may have become more challenging, such as mobility, transportation, or housekeeping. Having someone you feel comfortable with can make it easier to reintroduce social interaction into your routine and may help reduce feelings of loneliness and disconnection. 

How Sailor Health can help seniors cope with loneliness

Sailor Health provides exceptional, affordable mental health support for seniors from the comfort of home by video call or phone call. Our older therapists are experienced in many of the specific challenges that seniors deal with, including social isolation and loneliness. They will listen to you without judgement and give you practical tools for managing your feelings and finding meaningful connections.

All Sailor Health providers accept Medicare, and most of our Medicare patients have a $0 copay. Although loneliness itself isn’t a covered condition, treatment for associated mental health effects such as depression, anxiety, sleep issues, and social anxiety are covered by Medicare.

Get matched with a therapist today, and begin in as little as 24 hours.

References

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