Ah, look at all the lonely people!
Ah, look at all the lonely people!
(Chorus)
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Beatles’ fans will recognize the iconic lead-in and chorus to “Eleanor Rigby” — a song about loneliness and depression written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon and released in 1966. I first heard this song when I was a high school senior. The song was haunting — both in lyrics and melody — and was a complete change in the normal style of the Beatles music.
I recalled this song when I read the headlines in Gallup News on July 10, 2024, Over 1 in 5 People Worldwide Feel Lonely a Lot. The report found that 23% of the world population is lonely.
Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive — we are social creatures. Throughout human history, humankind has flourished because of our being connected with and dependent upon others.
As we age, we often find ourselves spending more time alone. Circumstances in our lives often change. We retire from a job, children and grandchildren move away, friends and loved ones die, and health issues convince us to eliminate or restrict driving.
Older adults are also at a higher risk for loneliness and social isolation as a result of health changes that can come with growing older — hearing, vision, and memory loss, disability, and trouble getting around.
Being alone may leave older adults more vulnerable to the negative effects of health and well-being. Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognition decline.
Recently, a report by the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, stated that:
“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling – it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity. And the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection can be felt in our schools, workplaces, (churches – added by author), and civic organizations, where performance, production, and engagement are diminished.”
Murthy further stated that “about one in every two Americans is experiencing loneliness at any given time” and noted that being socially disconnected can increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
We are living in an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the U.S. People are lonely throughout our world. Currently, there are over 8 billion people in our world!
The good news is that with greater awareness, church leaders and older adults can take steps to mitigate loneliness and to promote and strengthen ties to family and friends. We can expand our social circles and become more involved in the community around us.
Here are some actions older adults can take to stay connected:
- Nurture and strengthen existing relationships; invite people over for lunch or dinner
- Take time each day to call or visit someone
- Meet their neighbors
- If someone is a non-driver, find out about transportation options in the area
- Keep in touch with family and friends by email and social media like Facebook
- Keep physically active and include group exercise
- Visit a local senior center and become involved in a wide range of programs
- Become active in a church for spiritual engagement and service opportunities
- If someone has stopped attending church because of differences in ideology, theology, or leadership changes, find another church to attend and to become active again
- Volunteer to regain a sense of purpose and to help others
- Get involved in the community seeking opportunities for civic engagement and social justice
- Be an advocate for some of the world’s most pressing concerns: homelessness, food security, the environment, climate change, health care costs, etc.
Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. is Director of Older Adult Ministry for ENCORE Ministry.