Study: Older Adults in Poor Physical and Mental Health are More Apt to Feel Lonely

JAMA Network Open recently published a study indicating that there were high rates of loneliness and social isolation among older adults, especially those who reported that they had poor physical and mental health. Adults between the ages of 50 and 80 often report social isolation and loneliness. In 2018, 33.9% of the survey’s respondents said that they felt lonely some of the time or often. That number went up to 41.4% in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. However, in 2021, the number decreased to 37.1%. But in 2022, the number went up again to 41.6%. In 2023, the number decreased to 37.2%. In 2024, the number decreased again to 33.4% according to the researcher’s data.

The data was collected from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, and was collected from six samples at six different points in time. Survey results were collected once a year between 2018 and 2024 (with the exception of 2019). The number of respondents varied based on when the data was collected but was somewhere between 2,051 and 2,576.

“Overall, these findings highlight opportunities to better support older adults who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. Much like routinely asking about diet and exercise, clinicians should consider screening older adults for loneliness and social isolation and connect them with appropriate resources,” the authors wrote.

According to the study, people who weren’t working, those who lived alone, and those with lower household incomes reported loneliness the most throughout the study period. Rates of loneliness were higher among those who said they had poor physical and mental health compared to those who said they were in good physical and mental health.

In terms of social isolation, 26.6% of older Americans said they felt that way often or some of the time in the past year. The same held true for 55.7% in 2020, 45.9% in 2021, 44.4% in 2022, 33.7% in 2023, and 29.2% in 2024. According to the study, the same demographic groups that reported high rates of loneliness were the same saying they have experienced social isolation as well.

The study authors made a distinction between social isolation and loneliness. According to the authors, loneliness is a feeling of being alone, while social isolation refers to a lack of human connections. The study indicates that there is a connection between mental and physical health and the number of human connections one has in one’s life alongside a feeling of loneliness they experience as a result of their physical and mental health problems.

Talk to a Virginia Beach Estate Planning Attorney Today 

The Law Office of Angela N. Manz represents the interests of older Americans who are attempting to construct an estate plan. Call our Virginia Beach elder law attorneys today to schedule a consultation, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.

Source:

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