From Isolation to Connection: Supporting Older Adults in Connecting to Community

Social Isolation and loneliness — what is the difference? Social isolation means a person has few social relationships and/or little contact or support from others. Loneliness is the subjective experience of feeling alone or not close to others. Someone can, objectively, have many social connections, but still feel alone.  

Social isolation is a growing public health concern in the United States, linked to worse physical and mental health outcomes, and even premature mortality. Older adults are at particular risk, with roughly a quarter feeling socially isolated.

Conversely, social connection is a significant predictor of longevity and better physical and mental health. As state and community leaders seek to support healthy aging, creating more opportunities for older adults to make meaningful social connections is an important prevention strategy. Because social factors can increase or decrease the risk of isolation and loneliness, understanding these factors — such as gender, household size, and transportation — can help communities strengthen social connectedness for older adults through programs that may also address other pressing issues, like housing insecurity.

Social Isolation and Gender

Women age 60 or older are at increased risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness, stress, and depression, when compared to men of the same age. Women generally live longer than men and are less likely to remarry after the death of a spouse or getting divorced. The loss of a partner in later life often has significant impacts on social circles and support, as well as overall well-being.

Although women are at an increased risk of experiencing social isolation, there are programs working to address this issue. One example is Connectedly, a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia focused on strengthening community support networks for women and families. Connectedly hosts Healthy Lives Community Groups throughout Philadelphia for older adults to form social connections. They also have programs for grandparents raising grandchildren (often grandmothers raising grandchildren) and older adults who are unable to leave their homes. Many faith communities across the country also have women’s groups where women can meet regularly with the same small group to form deeper connections.

Social Isolation and Living Situation 

Over a quarter of older adults in the U.S. live alone. This can present significant challenges, as nearly 4 in 10 older adults living alone experience vision or hearing loss and have difficulty caring for themselves and living independently. Living alone in later years often follows the death of a spouse, which can also contribute to depression and social isolation. While living alone does not necessarily mean someone is socially isolated, it can increase the risk, particularly when they have limited transportation and/or few established social connections. Depending on whether older adults rent or own their home, it may not be feasible or affordable to move to a community with better access to social engagement opportunities and supportive services.

With a lack of affordable housing for older adults and an increasing prevalence of social isolation, some communities are exploring alternative housing models to address both challenges. One example is the National Shared Housing Resource Center (NSHRC), founded in 1980, which provides opportunities for intergenerational living, raises awareness about the benefits of homesharing, and encourages best practices among homesharing programs. Benefits of homesharing include reduced housing costs, companionship, and in some instances support with doing household tasks, among others. Programs like these are one way to address social isolation in older adults, while also offering a creative solution to the shortage of affordable housing.

Another example of an innovative housing model addressing social isolation is the One Flushing complex in Queens, New York. One Flushing is an intergenerational apartment complex that provides affordable housing to low-income families and older adults. The complex includes community spaces such as a children’s playroom, gym, a senior care center with adult day care and other supportive services, retail and office spaces, and a rooftop farm. One Flushing was developed through a private-public partnership between the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Housing Development Corporation, Goldman Sachs, and Citi.

Social Isolation and Transportation

Transportation is another significant barrier to older adults seeking social and community engagement opportunities. Nationally, 21% of adults over 65 who live alone do not have access to a vehicle. Furthermore, 1 in 5 adults over 65 no longer drive. For many older adults, not being able to drive feels like a loss of independence and may exacerbate social isolation. Affordable and accessible forms of transportation are needed to support older adults in staying connected to their communities.   

The Older Americans Act designates funding for transportation, and many Area Agencies on Aging offer local transportation programs. However, demand often outpaces available funding, and more creative solutions for transportation are needed. The Age Strong Vermont 2025 report, for example, highlights the work of the Vermont Department of Transportation (VTrans), which recently completed a statewide study on microtransit options. Microtransit uses technology to create routes based on where riders want to travel and often uses vans or small buses. There are no fixed routes, schedules, or pick-up spots, offering more flexibility than traditional public transit. Because microtransit is technology-focused — creating potential barriers for older adults — VTrans highlighted several ways to engage and educate older adults on how to use these services.

Social Isolation and State Planning Efforts

All 14 states with a published multisector plan for aging (MPA) include community and social engagement as a priority. Many State Plans on Aging (SPA) also focus on social isolation, and each plan includes unique initiatives and programs to strengthen social and community engagement.

For example, the Utah Master Plan for Aging features Senior Planet as a successful model for helping older adults learn technology to support social connection. The plan also highlights other life-long learning opportunities that encourage older adults to socialize and stay involved in their communities. The Age Strong Vermont MPA highlights the efforts of Generations Vermont in establishing a community space that combines an adult day center with a childcare center, addressing both the child care and social isolation crisis. The North Carolina All Ages All Stages MPA highlights Social Bridging NC, an organization that promotes community engagement through virtual events.

Conclusion

While social isolation and loneliness can contribute to poor health and well-being outcomes, social connection can mitigate that harm. Creative programs that support intergenerational connections through housing or expanded access to affordable transportation offer promising ways to strengthen social connections. State-level plans, such as MPAs and SPAs, are increasingly elevating and scaling novel solutions and policies that foster environments where older adults can build meaningful social and community connections.