Skip to main content

    Loneliness Relief

    As bad for health as smoking 15 cigarettes/day.

    Why it matters

    • 30% of 65+ live alone.
    • Loneliness raises dementia risk 50%.
    • Increases heart disease, stroke, depression.
    • Surgeon General declared loneliness an epidemic.
    • It's a medical issue, not weakness.

    Daily habits that help

    • Talk to ONE person every day (call, text, in person).
    • Walk in public space — coffee shop, library.
    • Greet checkout cashier with full sentence.
    • Wave at neighbors.
    • Schedule weekly call with family member.
    • Let pet make you go outside.

    Make new friends after 65

    • Senior center — free / low-cost classes + lunch.
    • YMCA Silver Sneakers (free with most Medicare Advantage).
    • OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning) — university classes.
    • Library book clubs.
    • Church/temple/mosque groups.
    • Volunteer (see /tools/volunteer-apps).
    • Hobby groups — Meetup.com.
    • Community garden plot.

    Phone friend services (free)

    • Friendly Voice (AARP) — weekly check-in calls. FREE.
    • Senior Center Without Walls — phone + Zoom groups.
    • Institute on Aging Friendship Line — 1-800-971-0016. FREE.
    • Papa Pals — companion service (paid via Medicare Advantage some plans).
    • Eldera — virtual mentor matching with kids.

    Crisis line

    988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988. Free, 24/7. Friendship Line for Seniors — 1-800-971-0016. They listen if you just need to talk. No crisis required.