'There's a lot of lonely people out there.' Is loneliness killing you?

By Jessica Hall

The Surgeon General has sounded an alarm that loneliness is a deadly epidemic. That comes as the number of people living alone has surged to about 29% of the U.S. population.

Of course, you can be lonely in a room full of people. It's more about the quality of connections that help strengthen your brain and firm up your overall health and mental well-being, experts said.

"Loneliness is traditionally defined as a gap between the relationships you have and the relationships you require," said Richard Weissbourd, senior lecturer and faculty director for the Making Caring Common Project at Harvard University.

A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.

NASEM said older adults are at increased risk for loneliness and social isolation because they are more likely to face factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ older adults, minorities, immigrants and victims of elder abuse face special risks of loneliness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Loneliness appears to be ticking up over the last 10 years or so. People are reporting it more and there's more attention paid to it. I think it's really a serious situation," said Rick Weissbourd, senior lecturer and faculty director for the Making Caring Common Project at Harvard University. "There's a lot of lonely people out there. It's serious. It was right for the Surgeon General to sound an alarm."

Loneliness is as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day and is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death, according to the advisory by the U.S. Surgeon General.

The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is greater than that of obesity and physical inactivity, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in an 81-pagereport called "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation."

Social isolation among older adults alone accounts for about $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending a year, largely due to increased hospital and nursing facility spending, the report said.

Read:Loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, says the surgeon general

Solitary living has surged in recent decades, according to the U.S. Census. In 1940, 8% of households had solo occupants. That number grew to 18% in 1970 and increased further to an estimated 29% by 2022.

"Living longer can mean the loss of a partner and longer periods where people are living alone. There are a variety of reasons for loneliness," Emily Allen, senior vice president at the AARP Foundation. "It can be difficult to tackle the problem because there can be a stigma attached to it."

Weissbourd said countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom have government offices of loneliness to help connect people. The U.S. lacks such a program.

Loneliness is a societal problem affected by everything from how we create outdoor spaces so people can sit and talk to creating housing with common rooms to gather, to how cities and rural areas are structured without ways for people to genuinely interact, Weissbourd said.

Even before the pandemic, one in five older adults were socially isolated. The COVID-19 pandemic helped bring to light the impact of social isolation on health and well being, Allen said.

"We don't often discuss plans to remain socially active and connected before we hit a crisis such as the loss of a spouse, or becoming a caregiver and facing isolation. It's important to make a social plan," Allen said. "Think about your network -- that neighbor you wave to? Invite them for coffee. It can be hard. It's like exercise or eating right -- it takes effort to strengthen your social network."

"It's not just the number of people you interact with, but meaningful relationships. You have to move beyond the casual. Bring more people into your inner circle," Allen said.

Technology such as Zoom calls or texting or email can't replace in-person interaction, but it can help augment an existing relationship, Allen said.

Use technology such as smart speakers or even companion robots to help keep you engaged and connected. A survey from Sermo, a social platform for physicians, found that 68% of doctors felt robots could provide companionship and interaction for lonely older adults.

Read:Want to age in place? You may have a robot keeping you company

Loneliness is more than just sadness. It's connected to physical and mental health, studies have shown.

For example, social isolation contributes to brain atrophy and cognitive decline, according to a new study published in the nonprofit scientific journal eLife.

According to the researchers, the study found changes in the brain associated with social isolation. Poorer cognitive functions, such as memory, processing speed and executive function, were also linked to greater social isolation.

Read:Having friends isn't just good for your social life -- it can also ward off dementia

There are ways to exercise your social muscles.

"One thing that can help many lonely people is to feel needed. Do service or helping out in some way gives you a reward and helps you feel valuable. And that entices you to try it again," Weissbourd said.

According to the National Institute on Aging, here are tips to reduce loneliness and isolation:

-- Restart an old hobby, try a new one or take a class to learn a new skill or pursue an old passion. You may have fun and meet people with similar interests.

-- Schedule time each day to stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors in person, by email, social media, voice call, or text. Suggest an activity to help strengthen existing relationships.

-- If you lack the technology skills to keep in touch with family and friends, consider taking a class at your local public library or community center to master these skills.

-- Consider adopting a pet if you are able to care for them. Animals can be a source of comfort and may also lower stress and blood pressure.

-- Stay physically active and consider group exercise, such as joining a walking club or working out with a friend.

-- Check out resources and programs at your local social service agencies, community and senior centers, and public libraries.

   --   Volunteer. Match your passions with a cause and become more connected. 

-- Find a faith-based organization where you can deepen your spirituality and engage with others in activities and events.

-Jessica Hall

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-13-23 1139ET

Copyright (c) 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.