It’s no surprise that older individuals often feel lonely, as close family and friends become distant or have passed away, and as illness and disability make it harder to connect and gather. We’ve covered this topic on many previous occasions but it’s still jarring to read new research that confirms the extent and depth of this problem among older adults. In a new study published in Psychological Science, researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine performed a meta-analysis of 9 longitudinal studies from around the world examining the occurrence of loneliness among adults worldwide. What they found was a “U” shaped curve of occurrence: feelings of loneliness were highest among young and older adults, while those in middle age had the least amount of loneliness. In particular, as the lead researcher remarked, “What was striking was how consistent the uptick in loneliness is in older adulthood” throughout the world. Moreover, the researchers found several factors associated with higher levels of persistent loneliness, including being female, more isolated, lower income, functional limitations, and poorer cognitive, physical, and mental health. All of those are factors frequently found among older adults. To read more about this study, click here.

Of additional concern beyond the uptick in loneliness as people get older is the strong association that’s been found between loneliness and an increased risk of health problems. For example, the American Cancer Society recently reported on a new study that found those cancer survivors who reported the highest level of loneliness also had the highest mortality risk among cancer survivors. The journal Nature recently featured an extensive review of the research connecting loneliness and negative health outcomes, especially in the brain. Among the findings reported in this article? We have evidence to connect loneliness with an increased risk for depression, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. We also know that those who experience loneliness are at greater risk for immune system dysfunction and high blood pressure. Nature also reports that early research suggests a connection between loneliness and an alteration of certain aspects of the brain, including neural connections and brain volume. However, what’s not clear is whether brain dysfunction occurs as a result of loneliness or whether due to malfunctioning in the brain people become more susceptible to becoming lonely. There are groups of people at higher risk of loneliness, including those from marginalized communities and those whose annual income falls below $50,000. 

We’ve previously suggested ways for older adults to try to alleviate feelings of loneliness, including volunteering or joining groups of interest. The previously mentioned article from Nature cites evidence that walking approximately 3 miles over an hour has been found to reverse feelings of loneliness. A recent article from The Tech Enhanced Life cites a range of possible ways technology can ease loneliness, including lessening mobility or transportation barriers, enhancing virtual connections or even creating tech-infused products, such as the new AI companion Replika. But assuming that doesn’t sound of interest, The New York Times recently recommended some more tried and true approaches to easing loneliness. Assessing your current relationships and trying to expand the variety and quality of those relationships was recommended so that different people in your life could help ease loneliness in different ways. Also recommended was taking some initiative on your own. For example, suggesting an in-person walk or coffee meet-up rather than a text exchange, or asking someone to go out with you rather than wait for an invitation. While it’s lovely to know people think and care about you when you receive an invitation, it’s also incumbent that you take the initiative to try to relieve your own feelings of loneliness. Your mental, physical, and cognitive health will all be the beneficiaries of such efforts.