A new national study reveals that while rates of loneliness and social isolation among older Americans have mostly returned to pre-pandemic levels, more than one-third of individuals aged 50 to 80 still experience loneliness, and nearly as many feel socially isolated. The study, based on six years of data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, highlights the ongoing challenge of social isolation among older adults, with certain groups facing even higher rates of loneliness and isolation.
The findings were published in JAMA by a team from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. The study analyzed data from a series of national polls conducted from 2018 to early 2024, asking older adults about their experiences of loneliness (the feeling of lacking companionship) and social isolation (the objective lack of social connections). The poll is supported by AARP and Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of the University of Michigan.
Loneliness and Isolation Rates
The 2024 data show that 33% of older adults reported feeling lonely either sometimes or often over the past year, nearly identical to the 34% reported in 2018. However, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of loneliness peaked at 42%. The data for social isolation followed a similar trend, with 29% of older adults in 2024 reporting that they felt isolated sometimes or often, compared to 27% in 2018. The rate of isolation was at its highest during the early months of the pandemic, with 56% of older adults reporting feeling socially isolated.
While the return to pre-pandemic levels might seem like a positive development, experts caution that these baseline rates are still concerning. “That baseline was not good,” said Preeti Malani, M.D., MSJ, the study’s lead author and professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. “And it was especially bad for some groups of older adults, who continue to have very high rates of loneliness and social isolation. One of the biggest differences now is that we have greater recognition of the impact of loneliness and isolation on health, especially as we age.”
High-Risk Groups
The study identified several groups of older adults with significantly higher rates of loneliness and isolation, particularly those with poor mental or physical health. In 2024, the groups with the highest rates of loneliness were:
Those with fair or poor mental health: 75% of these individuals reported feeling lonely, a slight increase from 74% in 2018.
Those with fair or poor physical health: 53% of this group experienced loneliness, up from 50% in 2018.
Those not working or receiving disability income: 52% of these individuals reported loneliness, compared to 38% in 2018.
Similarly, the groups with the highest rates of social isolation were:
Those with fair or poor mental health: 77% of this group reported feeling isolated, slightly lower than 79% in 2018.
Those with fair or poor physical health: 52% of these individuals felt isolated, up from 43% in 2018.
Those not working or receiving disability income: 50% of these individuals reported social isolation, compared to 36% in 2018.
These rates of loneliness and isolation were more than double, or even higher, than those seen among older adults who reported excellent or good physical or mental health, or those who were employed or retired.
The Need for Clinical Attention
The findings suggest that loneliness and social isolation should be addressed as key factors in the health and well-being of older adults, particularly those with significant physical or mental health issues. “These trends make it clear: clinicians should see loneliness and isolation as a key factor in their patients’ lives,” said Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., poll director and associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan. “We should consider screening our patients for these issues and connecting them with resources in their communities, whether that’s a senior center, veterans’ groups, volunteering opportunities, or services offered by Area Agencies on Aging or other local organizations.”
Other Key Findings
Age Differences: Adults aged 50 to 64 were more likely to report feeling lonely or isolated than those aged 65 to 80. The rates for the younger group have not yet dropped back to pre-pandemic levels in 2024.
Income and Living Arrangements: Older adults with household incomes below $60,000 and those living alone were more likely to report loneliness and isolation. This trend was consistent across the years, although in 2024, the rate of loneliness and isolation among those living alone was lower than in previous years.
Conclusion
The study underscores the ongoing challenge of loneliness and social isolation among older adults, highlighting the need for increased awareness and targeted interventions, especially for vulnerable groups such as those with poor health or financial insecurity. As the recognition of the serious health impacts of loneliness grows, the findings call for more proactive approaches to support older adults in building meaningful social connections.
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