Elderly Loneliness Statistics

The COVID-19 pandemic created shutdowns, stay-at-home orders and event hiatuses. Though few of us were unaffected by the impacts, it seems some demographics may have experienced higher levels of loneliness due to social isolation than others.

• 28% of seniors live alone, totaling more than 14.7 million people (5 million men and 9.7 million women).

• Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of dementia by 50%. Other health risks related to loneliness include:

  • Stroke: Risk increases by 32%

  • Heart disease: Risk increases by 29%

  • Mental health disorders: Risk increases by 26%

  • Premature mortality: Risk increases by 26%

• 2021 Consumer Wellness Survey: Loneliness

  According to our recent survey of nearly 1,000 people, most adults are more lonely now than they were prior to the coronavirus pandemic. People between the ages of 66 and 75 most frequently said they are more lonely now than they were previously.

  However, younger people (under 55) were more likely to rate their loneliness on a higher scale. Those aged 76 to 85 were the least likely to feel more lonely now than before the pandemic.