Loneliness can creep in quietly. A partner dies. Friends move away or become unwell. Children live in another city, or another country. Driving stops, and getting out becomes harder. Days that used to be full of conversation become long and quiet.
For many older adults, this isn't a passing feeling. It's a daily reality. And while loneliness is sometimes treated as a private sadness, the research is clear that it's also a serious health issue.
This article looks at how common loneliness is, why it matters for health and memory, and practical ways older adults, families and communities can help.
How common is loneliness?
Loneliness is a global issue. In 2025, the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Connection reported that 1 in 6 people worldwide are affected by loneliness, and that it's linked to an estimated 871,000 deaths each year.
Older adults are particularly at risk. In New Zealand, the Breaking Barriers study commissioned by Age Concern Auckland found that 59 percent of people aged 65 and over had recently felt lonely or socially isolated, with almost a third of those feeling this way often or all the time. In the US, a 2020 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine highlighted social isolation and loneliness as a significant issue for older adults.
Loneliness and isolation aren't the same thing
It helps to separate two ideas.
Social isolation is about how much contact someone has with other people. Someone who lives alone and rarely sees anyone is socially isolated.
Loneliness is a feeling. It's the gap between the connection someone wants and the connection they have. You can feel lonely in a busy household, and you can live alone and feel perfectly content.
Both matter for health, and both can be addressed.
Why loneliness matters for health
Loneliness is more than an emotional burden. According to reporting on the WHO Commission's findings, social isolation and loneliness are linked to a 32 percent higher risk of stroke, 29 percent higher risk of heart disease and 50 percent higher risk of dementia. They're also linked to depression, anxiety and diabetes.
The link with dementia runs both ways. Social isolation is one of the 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia identified by the 2024 Lancet Commission, as our article on preventing or delaying dementia explains. At the same time, people living with dementia can become more isolated, as conversations get harder and confidence drops.
What drives loneliness in later life?
The Breaking Barriers study found that loneliness among older New Zealanders is shaped by many factors outside a person's control, including:
Financial pressure, including the rising cost of living
Health problems and long waits for treatment
Housing, with people in social housing reporting the highest rates of loneliness
Family changes, such as adult children moving overseas
Rural living, especially for Māori kaumātua with limited access to services
Other common triggers include bereavement, retirement, hearing or vision loss, giving up driving and caring for a partner.
Kevin Lamb, CEO of Age Concern Auckland, has called for New Zealand to appoint a Ministerial Lead for Loneliness, similar to roles in the UK and Japan. It's a reminder that loneliness isn't only a personal problem. It's something communities and governments can act on too.
What helps
There's no single fix, but small, regular steps can make a real difference.
For older adults
Keep one regular social commitment. A weekly coffee with a friend, a class, a club or a place of worship gives structure to the week.
Say yes to invitations, even when it feels easier to stay home.
Volunteer. Helping others builds connection and purpose.
Try something new. A course, a walking group or a community garden are all good ways to meet people. Our article on neuroplasticity explains why learning new things is good for the brain too.
Look after hearing and eyesight. Untreated hearing loss makes conversation tiring and can lead people to withdraw.
Enjoy music together. Singing groups and music sessions are social and uplifting. See our article on music and brain health.
For families
Make contact regular and predictable. A call at the same time each day or week gives something to look forward to.
Help with transport. Getting to activities is often the biggest barrier.
Share the load. Siblings, grandchildren and friends can each take a day to call or visit.
Notice the signs. Withdrawing, low mood, poor eating or neglecting the home can all signal loneliness.
Help set up technology, but don't rely on it alone.
Our article on what happens when seniors don't have family support looks at options for people without family nearby.
Where technology fits
Technology can help people stay in touch, especially with family who live far away. Video calls, messages and shared photos can keep relationships going between visits.
But technology isn't a replacement for real connection. The Breaking Barriers study found that three-quarters of older people who used social media still reported feeling lonely, and the researchers suggested that social media may add to isolation if it isn't balanced with in-person contact. The most helpful tools are the ones that support real relationships, rather than replacing them.
Our article on whether technology can help ease loneliness explores this in more detail.
Elli Cares is designed to support real relationships, not replace them. Family members can record video reminders so a familiar face and voice are part of the day, send messages through the shared care circle, and see daily wellbeing check-ins. That makes it easier to notice when someone seems low and to reach out at the right time. See how Elli supports seniors and families.
Finding local support
Many communities offer programmes designed to help older adults connect, such as senior centres, befriending services, day programmes and community groups. In the US, the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116) can help you find local services. In New Zealand, Age Concern offers visiting services and activities for older people.
If loneliness comes with persistent low mood, poor sleep or loss of interest in things someone used to enjoy, it's worth talking to a doctor. Depression is common in later life, and it's treatable.
Connection is part of health
Loneliness in later life is common, but it isn't inevitable. Small, regular moments of connection, a phone call, a shared meal, a weekly class, can make a real difference to someone's wellbeing and health. And when families, communities and governments treat connection as part of health, more older people can live full, connected lives.
Our article on the benefits of social connection for healthy ageing has more ideas for staying connected.
