Growing Older, Growing Lonely: Understanding Loneliness in Aging Adults
Introduction
Advancing age brings changes that are often unanticipated. Children may leave home, friends relocate or pass away, and daily routines tend to slow. These shifts can give rise to a quiet yet deeply felt emotion: loneliness. Loneliness is not merely the experience of being alone; it is a multifaceted and distressing state that significantly affects millions of older adults globally. Importantly, it constitutes a critical public health concern.
Prevalence and Risk Factors
Loneliness among older adults is both prevalent and impactful. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) identified that nearly one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older experience social isolation, with many reporting loneliness (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020). Key risk factors for older adults includes:
living alone
bereavement
chronic illness
sensory impairments such as vision or hearing loss
These conditions can impede the ability to nurture relationships, engage in community life, or partake in small but meaningful social interactions.
A recent scoping review spanning research conducted from March to September 2024 confirms the persistence of these risk factors—such as declining health, widowhood, and shrinking social networks—and underscores the high prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among community-dwelling older adults (Puyané et al., 2025).
Health Consequences of Loneliness
Loneliness affects not only emotional well-being but also physical health. A comprehensive review by Donovan (2020) noted that social isolation and loneliness among older individuals elevates the risk of premature mortality—on par with established health risks such as hypertension, smoking, and obesity. Besides, meta-analytic evidence indicates that loneliness increases the likelihood of cognitive decline and dementia by approximately 50% (Donovan, 2020).
Furthermore, chronic loneliness may contribute to heightened stroke risk. A longitudinal study revealed that older adults experiencing persistent loneliness over four years had a 56% greater likelihood of suffering a stroke during the subsequent decade, compared to those consistently experiencing low loneliness (Soh et al., 2024).
Interventions and Solutions
According to the experts, effective interventions should consider individual needs and preferences. Here are a few strategies:
Community Programs
Technology Training
Health Care Provider Support
Designing age-friendly environments
Combatting loneliness in older adults demands personalized and multifaceted approaches. Simple yet effective strategies include promoting involvement in community centers, leisure and hobby groups, and volunteer work. Training in digital communication tools, such as video conferencing and social media, can foster connection when in-person contact is limited.
Healthcare providers have a critical role to play: they can screen for loneliness, incorporate assessments into regular evaluations, and connect patients with social resources (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020). Designing age-friendly environments—walkable neighborhoods, accessible public spaces, and third-places like libraries and community cafés—can facilitate social engagement and enrich everyday life.
Systematic reviews likewise recognize interventions such as group activities and internet/social media training as associated with modest reductions in loneliness among older adults (Shekelle et al., 2024). Innovative technologies—including smart homes, robotic pets, and social robots—also demonstrate potential both in detecting signs of isolation and providing companionship, though they should complement, not replace, human interaction (Latikka et al., 2021).
Conclusion
Loneliness among older adults is far more than an emotional experience—it is a warning signal of unmet social needs with profound health implications. As the population ages, recognizing loneliness as a serious public health priority is essential. Through empathetic understanding, robust healthcare screening, inclusive community design, and tailored interventions, aging does not need to equate to loneliness.
References
Donovan, N. J. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Review and commentary of a National Academies report. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(12), 1233–1244. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2020.08.005
Latikka, R., et al. (2021). Older adults’ loneliness, social isolation, and physical ICTs: Robots, wearables, and smart homes. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12), e28022. doi:10.2196/28022
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Opportunities for the health care system. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/25663
Puyané, M., et al. (2025). Uncovering the impact of loneliness in ageing populations: A comprehensive scoping review. BMC Geriatrics.
Shekelle, P. G., et al. (2024). Interventions to reduce loneliness in community-living older adults: A systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Soh, Y., et al. (2024). Chronic loneliness and risk of stroke in older adults: Findings from a longitudinal study. eClinicalMedicine.
