Loneliness and social isolation are different but related. Loneliness is the distressing feeling of being alone or separated. Social isolation is the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly. It’s possible to live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, but people can also feel lonely while being with others.
Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation and loneliness due to changes in health and social connections that can come with growing older, hearing, vision and memory loss, disability, difficulty getting around or the loss of family and friends.
How loneliness can affect health
People who are socially isolated or lonely are more likely to be admitted to the emergency room or a nursing home. Social isolation and loneliness are also associated with higher risks for:
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Obesity
Weakened immune function
Anxiety
Depression
Cognitive decline
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
Death
People who are lonely or socially isolated may get too little exercise, drink too much alcohol, smoke and often don’t sleep well, which can further increase the risk of serious health conditions.
People who are lonely experience emotional pain. Losing a sense of connection and community can change how a person sees the world. Someone experiencing chronic loneliness may feel threatened and mistrustful of others.
Emotional pain can activate the same stress responses in the body as physical pain. When this goes on for a long time, it can lead to chronic inflammation (overactive or prolonged release of factors that can damage tissues) and reduced immunity. The inability to fight off disease raises the risk of chronic diseases, leaving a person more vulnerable to some infectious diseases.
Social isolation and loneliness may also be bad for brain health. Loneliness and social isolation have been linked to poorer cognitive function and higher risk for dementia, including and especially for Alzheimer’s disease. Also, little social activity and being alone most of the time may contribute to a decline in the ability to perform everyday tasks such as driving, paying bills, taking medicine and cooking.
Who is at risk
Those who find themselves unexpectedly isolated due to the illness of a loved one, separation from friends or family, loss of mobility, worsening vision or hearing problems, disability or lack of mobility or access to transportation are at particular risk of loneliness and social isolation.
You also may be at greater risk if you:
Live alone
Can’t leave the home
Had a major loss or life change like retirement
Are grieving the loss or death of a spouse or partner
Struggle with money
Are a caregiver
Have psychological or cognitive challenges or depression
Have limited social support
Have trouble hearing
Live in a rural, unsafe or hard-to-reach neighborhood
Have language barriers where you live
Experience age, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination where you live
Are not meaningfully engaged in activities or is feeling a lack of purpose
People with hearing loss may find it hard to have conversations with friends and family, which can lead to less interaction with people, social isolation and higher rates of loneliness.
Talk with a doctor about loneliness and social isolation
If you feel isolated or lonely often, you may want to tell your doctor or health professional. Talking about overall health with a healthcare provider means sharing information about how you feel physically, emotionally and mentally. Describing symptoms can help the doctor identify the problem.
Make sure to bring up concerns such as any significant changes or stresses, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one. A doctor who knows about these losses can better understand how you are feeling and make helpful suggestions.
Be open and honest with the doctor about health habits and activities. It will help the healthcare provider understand medical conditions and emotional health more fully and recommend the best treatment options.
Source: National Institute on Aging