Isolation / Loneliness

Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely? At this point, so many older adults are alone, vulnerable to the health consequences that are more likely as a solo ager and without the supports that typically allow an older adult to remain active and engaged. But does being…

A recent national survey of older adults living alone, conducted by AARP, found both good and not-so-good news when it comes to seniors aging “solo.” About 10% of the US population over age 50 are “solo agers” and for women over age 75, that number jumps to 42%. It’s a…

This past April, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy created quite a stir when he declared that our country suffers from an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. He issued a 70+ page advisory report on the importance of social connection for the health and well-being of our country. Murthy, the author…

It’s no secret that friendships– perhaps even more than romantic or family relationships- are critical for keeping yourself healthy, both physically and mentally, as you move on into your later years. But as we’ve also previously said, friendships typically just don’t happen- they require effort, intention, and even active pursuit…

By now you know we’re a nation (and for that matter, a world) that’s getting older by the day. But just as many of our natural resources cannot keep up with the demands of an aging population, so, too, do we fall short with the availability of care providers and…

 As we’ve previously posted, social connections in your life appear to be critical for all sorts of health parameters as you get older. Covid underscored that even for the best of reasons, isolating older adults can cause serious negative consequences to their physical and emotional well-being. Even “weak ties,” i.e.,…