Isolation is a serious problem in modern society. Despite (or perhaps because of) the benefits of technology, many people don’t find the social connections that they need.
We’ve talked about this challenge before, along with ways to address it. As we’ve highlighted, loneliness can have many negative impacts on health.
In this infographic, we’re looking at the prevalence of loneliness – particularly among seniors. We’re also touching on why the problem is critical for seniors.
The Significance of Loneliness for Seniors
Why seniors?
Every age group suffers from loneliness. Recent research has even shown that loneliness decreases with age. This reflects a broader pattern, where subjective happiness tends to dip around middle age and then increases later in life.
Yet, seniors face some particular challenges.
One is that they are likely to encounter a variety of events that may trigger loneliness.
- The death of a spouse, a family member, or a close friend becomes more likely with age.
- Many seniors struggle with decreased mobility and/or significant health conditions. Such issues can make it more difficult to maintain social connections.
- Such issues are amplified by the fact that the senior and their social contacts may struggle from similar challenges.
- Retirement can also mean a decrease in regular social interaction. Finding new opportunities for connection is very possible, but does involve effort.
- The need for housing changes, such as downsizing, is common as many seniors are on a fixed income. Moving living environments can disrupt previous social connections.
People can recover from events that drive loneliness. Knowing other people who have faced similar situations could potentially help in this area. Despite this, there is a parallel between problems in people’s lives and their reported levels of loneliness.
For seniors, the challenges that can lead to loneliness or isolation are likely to get more frequent as they age. Many seniors also have much of their lives left to live. Someone aged 65 may have another 20 years to live. That’s a long time to be lonely.
Demographic Patterns of Loneliness in Adults
It’s critical to be talking about loneliness and looking for solutions now.
While the percentage of seniors that suffer from loneliness and isolation appears to be remaining relatively consistent, the senior population is rapidly growing. This means that the number of seniors struggling with loneliness will increase over time.
Additionally, the statistics for loneliness remain alarming across all age groups. For example, an AARP survey found the following results:
- 35% of respondents (who were aged 45 and above) were lonely
- 43% of respondents aged 45 to 49 categorized as lonely
- This decreased to 25% for people aged 70 or above
- Married people were less likely to be lonely than those who had never been married (29% versus 51%)
Take a look at the infographic below for more details about the patterns of loneliness in adults.
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