Embracing Healthy Aging Through Social Connections

September 23, 2024
Fifteen people of all races and from adolescence to old age, smiling

In his 2023 advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized the importance of social connections and mental well-being as critical components of healthy aging1. He highlighted how loneliness can have significant adverse effects on health, particularly in older adults, and emphasized the need for strong social bonds to support healthy aging. Dr. Murthy’s focus on the broader determinants of health, including social and emotional well-being, has been a key part of his public health agenda. September is Healthy Aging Month, and an opportunity to encourage individuals and communities to prioritize these factors to ensure healthier and more fulfilling lives as they age.

Being connected is important for emotional and social well-being

Emotional and social well-being are as vital to healthy aging as physical health. These aspects of well-being are closely linked to one’s senses of social connection2. A persistent lack of social interaction, participation in social activities, or communication can gradually result in feelings of social isolation. Over time, this isolation may contribute to loneliness — a subjective experience of social connection characterized as dissatisfaction with the quantity or quality of one’s social life, disconnectedness, and a lack of belonging3. Loneliness can have significant health implications, especially in older adults. According to a report by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), prolonged loneliness can lead to cognitive decline and is linked to a higher risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease4. Understanding the impact of loneliness and staying connected can help ensure a vibrant and fulfilling life as people age.

Combatting isolation and loneliness

Studies suggest that preventing the occurrence of social isolation or loneliness is desirable because of their detrimental impacts, including possible depressive symptoms and diminished wellbeing in older adults5. Older adults can combat loneliness by joining social groups such as participating in community activities, clubs, or volunteer organizations. Engaging in group activities helps them stay socially active and provides a sense of purpose. JBS conducted several national studies with older adults which showed that volunteering mitigates social isolation and loneliness, and consequently older adult volunteers perceived themselves to be in excellent and good health6.

How older adults can mitigate social isolation and loneliness

Researchers identified four approaches that can help mitigate social isolation and loneliness among older adults7:

Intergenerational. Enhances the social connection between the younger and older generations by facilitating partnerships in the search for well-being8. The older generation can provide wisdom, values, skills, attention, and affection for the young, while the younger generation can provide more up-to-date skills, knowledge, attention and affection to the old9.

Ageing-friendly community. Primarily targets older adults who were living at home in neighborhoods or communities. An “aging-friendly” community can help promote older adults' psychosocial well-being by providing infrastructures that support and maintain meaningful social connections throughout one’s lifespan10.

Community-based group physical activity. Works as a significant factor in maintaining good health.

Technology. Becomes useful for older adults who live in rural areas where there are limited social support services. Existing research indicates that implementing technology helped improve some dimensions of social connection for older adults who lived at home by providing virtual social support and networks11.

Resources

During Healthy Aging Month, check out the following resources for the latest research and tips that can be used this September and all year round.

References

1 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory (2023). Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation. [Retrieved on August 27, 2024]
2 Seppala M, Rossomando T, Doty JR. Social connection and compassion: important predictors of health and well-being. Soc Res 2013;80(2):411–30. doi: 10.1353/sor.2013.0027 
3 Hawkley LC, Kozloski M, Wong J. A profile of social connectedness in older adults, Washington DC: AARP; 2017. [Retrieved on August 28, 2024].
4 National Institute on Aging (2024). Loneliness and social isolation – Tips for staying connected. [Retrieved on September 2, 2024] 
5 Cacioppo JT, Hughes ME, Waite LJ, Hawkley LC, Thisted RA. Loneliness as a specific risk factor for depressive symptoms: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Psychol Aging 2006;21(1):140–51. doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140.
6Georges, A., Fung, W., Smith, J., Liang, J., Sum, C., & Gabbard, S. (2018). Longitudinal Study of Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs: Service Delivery Implications and Health Benefits to the Volunteers. North Bethesda, MD: JBS International
7 Usar Suragarn, Debra Hain, Glenn Pfaff, Approaches to enhance social connection in older adults: an integrative review of literature, Aging and Health Research, Volume 1, Issue 3, 2021, 100029, ISSN 2667-0321. 
8 World Health Organization [WHO]. Active ageing: A policy framework. [Retrieved on September 2, 2024]. 
9 Annear MJ, Elliott KJ, Tierney LT, Lea EJ, Robinson A. Bringing the out- side world in: Enriching social connection through health student placements in a teaching aged care facility. Health Expect 2017;20(5):1154–62.
10 Carstensen LL, Fung HH, ST Charles. Socioemotional selectivity theory and the regulation of emotion in second half of life. Motiv Emot 2003;27:103–23.
11 Morris ME, Adair B, Ozanne E, Kurowski W, Miller KJ, Pearce AJ, et al. Smart technologies to enhance social connectedness in older people who live at home. Australas J Ageing 2014;33(3):142–52. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12154.