As we age, our social circles can shrink, and we might find ourselves spending more time alone than we used to. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon experience, and it can lead to feelings of loneliness, which can have devastating effects on our health and well-being. In fact, loneliness is likely the next epidemic, with some countries reporting that more than one in three older people feel lonely.
The issue is becoming so prevalent that the US Surgeon General has warned it may well become the next public health priority which should be tackled with the same urgency as substance abuse and tobacco.
This might sound a little over the top. We don’t think of loneliness in the same way as chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes or heart disease. But maybe we should. Loneliness isn’t merely an inconvenience. Nor is it a feeling to be ignored. A support system and a social circle aren’t “nice-to-haves”. They are necessities.
Research suggests that loneliness can actually have serious physical and mental health consequences. From an increased risk of high blood pressure to depression to cognitive decline to even heart disease, loneliness can kill you.
Let’s face it; we have an ageing population. And loneliness is more likely to affect older people. The fact is, we need systems in place that tackle loneliness before it becomes a public health issue. And there is hope. There are things we can do to kick loneliness to the curb as a society and on an individual level.
The epidemic of loneliness: setting the scene
As our population ages and life expectancy increases, more and more older adults are finding themselves struggling with feelings of isolation and disconnection. In 2022, nearly 50% of adults in the UK reported feeling lonely either occasionally or always. And of that 50%, around 7% reported chronic loneliness, which is defined as feeling lonely either often or always.
Older people are particularly affected, with around 1.4 million experiencing frequent loneliness. In the UK, 49% of people aged 75 or over live alone and say their TV is their main companion. Nearly 23% of those aged 75 or over go without speaking to or seeing someone every day too.
But things aren’t necessarily better elsewhere around the world. In the US, 28% of seniors live alone and 56% of people aged between 50 to 80 experience feelings of isolation. And in Japan, by 2040, approximately 40% of senior citizens will live alone.
Future projections paint a dire picture too. Here in the UK, it is expected that by 2025, the number of people experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation will reach 2 million, representing a 43% increase from 1.4 million.
What causes loneliness?
While anyone can feel lonely, according to the Mental Health Foundation, certain factors make some individuals more susceptible to severe and lasting loneliness, leading to detrimental mental health consequences.
Some of these factors include:
- Being widowed: Losing a spouse can be a major source of loneliness for seniors, who may struggle to adjust to life without their partner.
- Being single: Single seniors may not have the same social support networks as those who are married or in relationships, making them more vulnerable to loneliness.
- Living alone: Seniors who live alone may lack regular social interaction, increasing their risk of loneliness.
- Loss of family and friends: With age comes the inevitable loss of loved ones, which can lead to a shrinking social network and feelings of isolation.
- Having a disability: Health issues can limit seniors’ ability to engage in social activities, making them more susceptible to loneliness.
- Having caring responsibilities: Caregivers often sacrifice their own social lives to care for others, leading to feelings of isolation.
- Being out of work: Unemployment can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection, particularly for older adults who may find it challenging to re-enter the workforce.
Loneliness: understanding the consequences
Loneliness takes an emotional toll on us. We’re social creatures and need to feel like we belong to thrive. But, sadly, that’s not all. Although measuring the impact of social isolation and loneliness can be challenging, there is evidence that many people aged 50 and older experience social isolation or loneliness in ways that directly impact their health.
Research suggests that social isolation, in particular, significantly increases people’s risk of premature death from all causes. This risk may rival other factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity. In other words, being socially isolated could be as bad for you as smoking and living a sedentary lifestyle.
In the same study, loneliness was also associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. And, when looking at heart failure patients, researchers found that those who were lonely were four times more likely to die than those with a support network.
Lonely people are, on average, more likely to suffer from obesity, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, cognitive decline and even Alzheimer’s disease.
The writing’s on the wall: loneliness kills. Treating it as the next epidemic facing us as a society is hardly an exaggeration in the face of so much evidence.
How can we tackle loneliness before it becomes an epidemic?
We all must do our part to tackle this significant threat to public health. The good news is governments are waking up to the risk of loneliness. And many worthy causes are tackling loneliness too.
Charities like Reengage organise tea parties for people aged 75 or older where they can meet with other people their age and spend an afternoon making friends. The British Red Cross has a directory of organisations to turn to if you feel lonely. The Silver Line, for instance, offers a helpline for older people who feel lonely and need a chat.
The government’s 2018 loneliness strategy also aims to tackle this issue. Among their top priorities is destigmatising loneliness and starting a national conversation so people don’t feel they need to suffer in silence.
These are all important steps. There is a lot that governments, companies, and organisations can do to tackle loneliness before it becomes an epidemic.
How AgeGroup is tackling loneliness in seniors
At AgeGroup, we’re working hard to tackle loneliness and help older people live their best lives. We want to help you build connections and communities with like-minded people. We’ve got all sorts of projects to make this happen, from publications like AgeTimes to help you find inspiration for things to do to sponsoring events like Longevitech to support technologies designed to help you.
We’re also super excited to be launching AgeMeet later in 2023. This product provides a safe and secure place for older people to interact with each other, and it’s designed to tackle loneliness. Seniors will be able to use a free feature where they can video chat with up to three other people and make connections.
With technology at the helm, here at AgeGroup, we’re working to eradicate loneliness and social isolation among seniors. Will you join us?
