Although loneliness and isolation among older Americans have largely reverted to levels observed before the pandemic, over one-third of individuals aged 50 to 80 still report feelings of loneliness, and a similar number feel isolated, according to a recent national study.
Additionally, certain older adults—particularly those facing significant physical or mental health challenges—experience markedly higher levels of loneliness and social isolation compared to their peers.
This new research, which reviews six years of data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging (https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/), has been published in JAMA by a team from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
Beginning in 2018 and most recently earlier this year, the poll surveyed older adults across the country about their experiences of companionship (how often they felt alone) and social isolation. The poll is backed by AARP and Michigan Medicine, the academic medical center of U-M.
The findings reveal that in 2024, 33% of older adults felt lonely occasionally or frequently over the past year, a figure comparable to the 34% reported in 2018. During the intervening years, loneliness levels soared to 42% for older adults.
On the same note, 29% of older adults indicated feelings of isolation at least occasionally in 2024, slightly higher than the 27% recorded in 2018. At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 56% of older adults reported feeling this isolated, although the prevalence has decreased each year since then.
“On the surface, this may appear to be positive news, suggesting we’ve returned to pre-COVID levels. However, these baseline figures were concerning, especially for certain demographics of older adults who continue to experience elevated loneliness and social isolation,” stated Preeti Malani, M.D., MSJ, the study’s lead author and a professor at the U-M Medical School. “One notable change today is the increased awareness regarding the health implications of loneliness and isolation as we age.” Malani also served as a senior advisor to the poll, having directed it from 2017 to 2022.
The older adult demographics experiencing the highest rates of loneliness in 2024 included:
- Those rating their mental health as fair or poor: 75% (a small increase from 74% in 2018)
- Those rating their physical health as fair or poor: 53% (up from 50% in 2018)
- Individuals not working or receiving disability income (not retirees): 52% (up from 38% in 2018)
The demographics with the highest social isolation rates in 2024 were:
- Those rating their mental health as fair or poor: 77% (slight decrease from 79% in 2018)
- Those rating their physical health as fair or poor: 52% (up from 43% in 2018)
- Individuals not working or receiving disability income (not retirees): 50% (up from 36% in 2018)
These 2024 figures are double or more than those of older adults who reported their physical or mental health as excellent, very good, or good, or who were working or retired.
“These patterns underscore the importance for healthcare providers to consider loneliness and isolation as significant factors affecting their patients’ lives, especially those with serious health conditions,” stated poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., an associate professor at U-M’s internal medicine department and a primary care clinician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
“It is essential to screen patients for these issues and connect them to various community resources like senior centers, veterans’ groups, volunteering opportunities, or services offered by Area Agencies on Aging or other community organizations,” he added.
Additional notable findings:
Generally, adults aged 50 to 64 reported feelings of loneliness or isolation more frequently than those aged 65 to 80 throughout all years of the poll, and the rates for the younger cohort had not returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2024.
Likewise, individuals with household incomes under $60,000 and those living alone were more inclined to say they sometimes or often felt lonely or isolated than individuals with higher incomes or those cohabiting, a trend consistent across most years. Nevertheless, in 2024, individuals living alone reported lower rates than those living with others.
Further insights regarding loneliness and isolation in older adults:
This new research builds upon findings compiled by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., and his team, which were released in an official advisory in May 2023.
The AARP Foundation has launched an initiative called Connect2Affect, which provides resources aimed at helping older adults combat social isolation and loneliness: https://connect2affect.org/
Malani and her colleagues published a Patient Page in JAMA on social isolation in May 2024; it is accessible for free (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2819153) and intended for healthcare providers to share with patients.
About the poll:
The data featured in the new JAMA article comes from six iterations of the NPHA from 2018 to 2024. Most asked older adults how frequently they felt a lack of companionship or felt isolated from others in the past year. The poll conducted in June 2020 asked participants to reflect over the preceding three months. Each iteration’s sample was distinct, and sample sizes ranged from 2,033 to 2,563. The organization managing the poll changed once, starting in 2022. More information about NPHA methodology can be found at: https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/survey-methods
Explore NPHA reports on loneliness and isolation among older adults here: https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/national-reports
Alongside Malani and Kullgren, other authors of the recent JAMA research letter include poll team members Erica Solway, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.P.H., Matthias Kirch, M.S., Dianne Singer, M.P.H., and J. Scott Roberts, Ph.D. Although Malani serves as deputy editor at JAMA, she did not participate in the review process for this article.
