People often associate getting older with growing more solitary. As friends and family begin to pass away and mobility and cognition decline, the opportunity to maintain close bonds with others may fade. However, this does not have to be a normal part of getting older — and in fact, senior loneliness is causing significant harm to the over-65 population in the United States.

A senior loneliness epidemic is sweeping the nation, with 35% of adults over the age of 45 and nearly half of individuals over the age of 60 describing themselves as lonely. Of these, about one in four either lives alone or has no close friendships; they are entirely socially isolated.

However, thanks to technological advances in the last 20 years, more opportunities than ever abound for people to stay connected, even if they cannot leave their homes. Virtual friendships and online communities are helping combat senior loneliness.

Here’s how popular platforms provide the same emotional benefits of socialization and some tips for building meaningful connections in the digital age.

Why Connection Matters

Social connection is about more than just making people feel welcome and seen. People who live isolated lives experience a significantly higher likelihood of dying (from any cause) and are 50% more likely to develop dementia. Heart disease and stroke risk rise as well (by 29% and 32%, respectively).

In other words, people who do not or cannot maintain social relationships see noticeably worse outcomes on average, even if they otherwise seem to take care of themselves well by eating healthy and exercising. Even short periods of time with other people can help mitigate these negative effects.

Does Virtual Connection Work as Socialization?

Because speaking with others and forming connections is important for mental health and physical well-being, what happens when an older individual struggles to leave the house or engage with others? This is where virtual connections can come in.

While high levels of social media usage are correlated with anxiety and depression in younger individuals (due to increased bullying, pressure to fit in, and lack of boundaries), adults who use social media have been shown to benefit from it in many of the same ways as meeting physically.

Virtual connections, which can come in many forms, can replace in-person meetups when such a thing is not possible.

How (and Where) to Encourage Virtual Friendships

Even knowing that virtual friendships are possible, how does one find them? Encourage an older adult to start by deciding on a few hobbies, interests, or areas of activism that inspire them. This way, they have a starting point to find online groups that share these opinions or interests.

• Facebook is a great place to start. Many organizations or hobbyist groups have at least one Facebook page, and joining can allow older folks to make their own posts or reply to others.
• Discord is another option that is growing in popularity. Discord servers tend to be more niche and confined to very specific interests (e.g., a certain film director, a specific breed of dog, or a focused type of gardening). Facebook groups may direct users toward their Discord servers, or they may be posted on the websites of organizations related to that specific interest.
• Twitch might not seem like the first option people think of when considering socialization, but it can be a goldmine. Twitch streamers offer content ranging from gaming videos to relaxed “Just Chatting” streams or solving crosswords with the people watching. For older adults who cannot leave the house, streaming is also a great way to share their own opinions and abilities! Consider streamers such as stoicmom, who streams for a tight-knit community including her great-grandchildren, and Shirley Curry, who rose to fame as the “88-year-old Skyrim expert.” You are never too old to share your skills and thoughts!
• YouTube is a similar platform for socialization. Create videos demonstrating an older individual’s skills (such as knitting), or simply select your favorite topical creators and engage in their comments.
• HiNative and other language learning platforms provide unparalleled opportunities to connect with people anywhere in the world. People can ask questions to others from different cultures and even find pen pals to learn each other’s languages.

These are just a few of the many virtual options to engage older adults in socialization. Local groups may also have virtual meetups, so it is helpful to check nearby resources as well!

Learn About Social Opportunities in Your Area

Socialization remains important throughout an individual’s life. Not only does it offer mental health benefits, but it is also protective against all-cause mortality, and it enriches a person’s life. Locating local and online virtual friendship opportunities can help your loved one thrive and prevent senior loneliness.

Contact us to discover how the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia is making a difference in communities like Oakton, Vienna, Dunn Loring-Merrifield, Great Falls, Herndon, and Reston. If you’re outside these areas but have questions, give us a call, and we’ll guide you to the Shepherd’s Center nearest to you!