Reviewed by a board-certified geriatrician
Feeling close to other people is good for more than your mood. A major U.S. report from the National Academies of Sciences (2020) found that social isolation in older adults is linked to about a 50% higher risk of dementia, and to higher risks of heart disease and stroke. Connection is part of staying healthy, just like eating well and moving.
It can get harder with age. Friends move or pass away, driving stops, and hearing or vision changes make conversations tiring. Small, regular contact still makes a real difference.
Easy ways to stay in touch
Set a regular phone or video call with family or a friend, the same day each week.
Join something that meets regularly: a senior center, church or temple group, exercise class, or club.
Volunteer. Helping others is one of the best ways to feel connected and useful.
Share a meal. Invite a neighbor over, or meet a friend for lunch.
Take a class, in person or online, in something you have always wanted to learn.
Spend time with younger family members, such as reading together or telling family stories.
Check your hearing
Untreated hearing loss makes people pull back from conversations without meaning to. It is also linked to faster memory decline. If you often ask people to repeat themselves or turn the TV up loud, ask your doctor about a hearing test. Hearing aids can help a great deal.
For families
If someone you love seems withdrawn, has stopped going out, or rarely mentions friends, gently ask about it. Offer a ride, set up a regular call, or help them find a group. Withdrawal can also be a sign of depression or memory changes, which are worth talking with a doctor about.