Friendly connections can help ward off social isolation — and promote physical and mental well-being. Here’s how.

As you get older, being social becomes more important. The opposite can lead to physical and mental health issues. These could include anxiety, depression and memory issues. You may have a greater chance of developing certain illnesses and longer-term conditions too.

It can sometimes be difficult to connect with others if you’re feeling lonely or isolated, but friendships and social interaction don’t always have to be in person. And either way, they can significantly improve your quality of life.

Read on to learn why the secret to living your best life may just be the company you keep.

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What’s the difference between loneliness and social isolation?

It’s important to understand the difference between loneliness and social isolation.

“Loneliness is an internal and subjective feeling of being distressed about disconnection from others, while social isolation is an objective description of a lack of social connections,” says Jerrold Lee Shapiro, Ph.D. He’s a clinical psychologist and a professor of counseling psychology at Santa Clara University in California. He’s also the author of Finding Meaning, Facing Fears: Living Fully Twixt Midlife and Retirement.

Loneliness and social isolation are often experienced together. But you can be lonely and not socially isolated, and vice versa. That’s according to the American Psychiatric Association. “People can feel lonely in a relationship or a crowd, and you can be socially isolated but not feel lonely,” explains Shapiro.

Why older adults may be lonelier or socially isolated

Feelings of loneliness and social isolation are common among older adults. In fact, according to a 2023 poll, 34% of U.S. adults between the ages of 50 and 80 “reported feeling isolated from others” and 37% “reported feeling a lack of companionship.”

The causes can stem from:

• Death of a spouse
• Experiencing a chronic illness
• Hearing loss
• Living alone
• Loss of friends and family members
• Mobility issues

The transition from working to retirement also plays a big role, says Shapiro.

“When we leave work, we lose almost all of our social contacts, so if I’ve been on the job for 30 years, I have a certain set of relationships and connections that’s kind of my social home in some ways,” says Shapiro. “Retiring can leave you feeling like you’ve lost your place and a sense of where you fit in the world.”

Another factor could be people moving on to the next chapter of their lives. “The same neighbor you’ve lived next door and talked to for decades suddenly moves away to be near their grandkids — or you gather with former coworkers, but you find in retirement you have nothing to talk about anymore,” explains Shapiro.

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How loneliness and social isolation can affect your health

Socially isolated or lonely adults also tend to have more weakened immune systems and “higher rates of functional decline (e.g., an inability to drive).” That’s according to the National Council on Aging.

In addition, social isolation has been linked to poor self-care and sleep disorders, says Shapiro. He also says some studies connect loneliness with poor sleep, muscle tension, digestive problems and even chest pains.

Of course, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms — especially chest pain — it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or seek emergency medical help. That’s because chest pain could also be a sign that you’re having a heart attack.

How being social and making friends may improve your well-being

Some good news: Loneliness and social isolation can be reversed. And if you’re dealing with mobility or transportation issues, you might not even have to leave your house to be social.

Spending time with friends can:

• Decrease your risk of depression
• Help reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve your outlook on life

The emotional support a friend can lend you is invaluable, especially as you age. Going through certain things with someone else reduces the intensity of feelings of isolation too, Shapiro says. “You realize there’s someone you can commiserate with and even joke about life challenges, which allows you to feel you’re not going through this alone — there’s someone there with you.”

Spending time with others is also good for your brain health. Being around friends, loved ones or grandchildren may help improve your cognitive health and memory issues. That’s particularly important, because social isolation and loneliness have been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. (That’s a group of brain-related diseases that worsen over time, impairing a person’s ability to think, remember and reason.) 

Social activity can also stimulate your brain. By having a conversation with a friend, you’re activating regions of your brain that you don’t use when you’re alone.

And remember: Being social doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get out of the house. Here are some alternative options:

• Adopt or rescue a pet, like a dog or cat.
• Join an online book club or community organization.
• Schedule a weekly phone check-in with a family member, friend or grandchild.
• Set up a virtual call with a family member, friend or grandchild.

How to get help if you’re feeling lonely or socially isolated

If you’re experiencing loneliness or social isolation most or all the time, there are other solutions you can tap. These could include:

• Consulting your doctor
• Seeking the help of a mental health care professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist

In both of those cases, you may not even have to leave your house. Some insurance plans offer telehealth services as a benefit. If yours doesn’t, you may be able to purchase telehealth as an add-on to your traditional health insurance plan. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer telehealth in your area.

See a doctor where and when it works for you. Learn about our HealthiestYou telehealth membership that starts as low as $20/month, or call a licensed insurance agent at 1-844-211-7730 for more information.

The information above is provided as general information only. It is not intended to diagnose or recommend treatment of any illness, disease or condition. You should consult a qualified medical professional if you have questions or need more information.

Sources:

American Psychological Association. “Taking on the public health threat of loneliness and social isolation.” February 15, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/loneliness-and-social-isolation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Non-Medical Factors That Affect Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Risk.” July 30, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/php/sdoh/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/aging/disparities/social-determinants-alzheimers.html

National Council on Aging. “How intergenerational connections can ease loneliness in older adults.” March 15, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/article/how-intergenerational-connections-can-ease-loneliness-in-older-adults

National Council on Aging. “Online therapy for social isolation: a guide for older adults.” June 28, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/article/online-therapy-for-social-isolation-a-guide-for-older-adults

University of Michigan: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. “Trends in loneliness among older adults from 2018–2023.” March 2023. Retrieved from https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/175971/0300_NPHA-Loneliness-report-FINAL-doifinal.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y

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