Loneliness in old age
While loneliness can affect all human beings, older people are more exposed to risks resulting from life changes such as retirement, widowhood and health declines.
It is often driven by life circumstances such as the loss of loved ones, residence in assisted living or nursing homes, financial hardships, and lower socioeconomic status, all of which can reduce opportunities for meaningful social connections.
[5] Certain groups in the United States, including immigrants and individuals identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, are considered at higher risk for loneliness in later life.
[13] This shift has weakened intergenerational ties and caregiving roles, leaving many older individuals to navigate the "empty nest" phase with limited familial support.
The stress process model adds that health problems, financial difficulties and other stressors contribute to loneliness, but supportive resources, including family and community connections, can mitigate these effects.
Environmental gerontology highlights how older adults' resources, including socioeconomic status and living conditions, interact with their surroundings to influence loneliness.
However, later-life conditions, such as health, income and social resources, often have a stronger impact, suggesting that interventions in older adulthood can help mitigate the effects of earlier disadvantages.
The factors related to loneliness in old age include: being female, widowed, divorced or never married; having limited or low-quality social ties; poor physical health, such as chronic illnesses or mobility impairments; and constrained socioeconomic resources, such as low income or education levels.
In contrast, advanced age is commonly linked to heightened loneliness due to sensory and physical impairments, loss of a spouse, and shrinking social networks.
Chodorow proposed that women, due to their socialization, develop a personality that places greater emphasis on relationships and connections with others, particularly within the family, where they often assume roles like kin keepers.
In contrast, men's traditional roles tend to emphasize instrumental activities, with less emphasis placed on interpersonal relationships, which could contribute to different patterns of loneliness in older adulthood.
Women tend to live longer, often marry older partners and are more likely to experience widowhood, which can lead to significant loneliness, particularly if they relied heavily on their spouse for companionship.
Among widowed older adults, men tend to experience greater loneliness after the loss of a spouse, but women often benefit from stronger social networks with family and friends, which provide more opportunities for emotional support.
Higher SES is generally associated with reduced loneliness, as it often enables the development of broader social networks that include not only family members but also friends and acquaintances.
[36] The physical proximity of friends and family can influence social connectedness, as frequent and close interactions provide emotional support to counter loneliness.
However, overly strained or dependent relationships within a confidant network may contribute to emotional stress, highlighting the complex dynamics of social connections in later life.
[39] Residents in long-term care facilities often experience loneliness due to loss of autonomy, limited familial contact, reduced social networks and declines in physical and cognitive capacities.
These challenges are compounded by superficial social interactions and limited opportunities for forming deep connections with peers, particularly when cognitive abilities differ among residents.
[45] For example, older adults in eastern, southern and central European countries, where familism is more prominent, often report higher levels of loneliness compared to their counterparts in northern and western Europe.
[50] Loneliness poses serious risks to the physical health of older adults, contributing to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.
A study by the University of California, San Francisco, involving 1,600 participants with an average age of 71, found that loneliness significantly increased mortality risk among older adults.
Volunteering offers both social engagement and personal fulfillment, with activities like delivering meals or participating in community projects benefiting both physical and mental health.
Joining senior activity centers or community programs provides opportunities for education, exercise and shared hobbies, fostering a sense of belonging.
[67] These tools enable individuals to stay connected with family, friends and healthcare providers, helping to overcome barriers such as geographical distance and physical limitations that contribute to isolation.
[68] Additionally, innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, such as virtual companions and digital assistants, offer further support by providing social engagement and emotional care.
For instance, ElliQ, an AI-powered robotic companion distributed to hundreds of older residents in New York State, has been praised for reducing boredom, maintaining social skills and assisting with grief.
However, critics highlight significant issues, including data privacy, the protection of sensitive user information and the potential for such technology to diminish human relationships.
Some experts warn that overreliance on robotic companions could discourage older adults from engaging in meaningful, reciprocal interactions with friends and family, undermining the very social connections these tools aim to enhance.
This model emphasizes social rather than medical care and encourages family and community involvement, aiming to transform institutional environments into more homelike settings.
Research has shown that DAI can lead to various positive outcomes for residents, including enhanced social functioning, reduced depression and decreased feelings of loneliness.
