There is a growing body of research showing that aging in place leaves people vulnerable to two significant problems: feeling lonely and being socially isolated. Recently AARP recognized this as a public health crisis facing more and more older people (Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 2017).

Loneliness is a subjective, unpleasant feeling of a lack of companionship. Social isolation involves minimal contact with other individuals and the community. Both loneliness and isolation are especially prevalent in the second half of life.

Research conducted by AARP (Loneliness Study, 2014), shows that over 42 million adults suffer from chronic loneliness. The Economist has called loneliness “the leprosy of the 21st century.” Additionally, more than 8 million adults over 50 are isolated (AARP Foundation, 2016).

Being lonely and isolated is more than the inconvenience of not having someone to share a meal or watch TV with. Both take a toll on people’s health and increase mortality risk. Specifically, loneliness accounts for a 26% increase in mortality while isolation is responsible for a 29% increase (Perspectives on Psychological Science, Holt-Lunstad, 2015). The conclusion of this study is often quoted…

“Prolonged isolation is the equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.“

Loneliness is more fatal than a bad diet or lack of exercise. And isolation is not much better for your health. It has been linked to higher blood pressure, susceptibility to infectious diseases, the risk of heart disease, and earlier onset of dementia.

This is particularly frightening because of the numbers of people who are aging at home, but who are confined to their homes. When the home itself isolates you, feelings of loneliness and depression can quickly arise.

“2 million people over age 65, rarely or never leave their homes, due to chronic disease or frailty.“
(JAMA Internal Medicine, Ornstein, 2015).

These homebound older adults are trapped in their homes, unable to leave without significant help. It’s one thing to age at home but it’s another to be “stuck” at home, unable to leave because you aren’t well enough, or don’t have the willpower to engage with the world.

Living alone may give aging people the sense of independence, but in many cases, this is an illusion. The downside of aging at home, especially if you are aging alone, is that it can result in corrosive loneliness and isolation.