Here’s How Loneliness Is Impacting Older Adults Across the Country

Connection and community are crucial factors to the health and well-being of older adults in the United States. Although Americans are experiencing unprecedented longevity, many find themselves increasingly disconnected in advanced age, and loneliness and social isolation have become widespread, consistent concerns that have a real impact on their health.

According to AARP, 41% of Americans in their sixties are lonely, up from 32% in 2010. Additionally, a record 26.9 million older adults are single, up from 20.8 million a decade earlier -- which heavily affects their level of interaction with others. Beyond that, 8.7 million older adults report having suffered from depression, up from 6.5 million in the last 10 years.

Making friends is another common challenge for older adults. Nearly a quarter of Americans aged 65+ feel they do not have enough close friends, while 38% say making new friends is harder than when they were younger, according to a survey last year from the University of Michigan.

Loneliness is not only a matter of occasional sadness or even depression: social isolation and loneliness are associated with serious health risks, including heart problems and dementia, and may even contribute to premature death. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on the dangers of social isolation, detailing the causes and risks of loneliness and sharing a national strategy to help address this “epidemic.”

For many older people, factors such as living alone, loss of a spouse or friends, declining mobility or chronic illnesses make sustained social contact difficult. Notably, people surrounded by others can still feel lonely, given that quality and frequency of social interactions matter at least as much as mere physical proximity.

The challenge is especially complex because loneliness and isolation do not affect everyone equally. Meanwhile, broader social changes – such as smaller family sizes, geographic dispersion of children, and changing patterns of retirement and work – can make it harder for many seniors to rely on traditional support networks. Resources vary widely from state to state, leading to very different experiences for seniors across the U.S.

CareScout explored how loneliness is impacting older Americans in all 50 states and D.C. by analyzing data across six metrics: self-reported loneliness, depression, living alone, relationship status, regularly talking with friends and family, and availability of mental health support.

The results indicate that while no state has fully solved the problem, some are more equipped than others to keep older adults in good company along their aging journey.

• 41% of Americans in their 60s report being lonely in 2025, up from 32% in 20210, according to AARP.

• 26.9 million older adults are single, up from 20.8 million a decade earlier.

• 8.7 million older adults have struggled with depression according to U.S. government data.

• Recurring themes: Living alone, lack of connection with family and friends, and availability of psychologists are key contributors to reports of loneliness and depression.

Increased rates of depression and reports of loneliness consistently appeared in states with higher percentages of older adults who live alone and/or are single. In Louisiana, which ranked as the state most impacted by loneliness among seniors, nearly one in five are depressed, and 46.2% are single. Additionally, there are just 21 psychologists per 10,000 seniors. 12.3% of Louisiana’s older adults report being lonely, the second-highest rate in the country.

Also among the top five loneliness rates are West Virginia, Missouri, Indiana, and Tennessee. No. 2 West Virginia has the highest depression rate for older adults in the U.S. (21.5%). Older adults are more likely to live alone in No. 3 Missouri and No. 4 Indiana than in almost any other state (44.9% and 44.8%, respectively). In No. 5 Tennessee, just 52.8% of older adults regularly discuss issues with family and friends, underscoring the lack of connections there and the impact that can have on loneliness.

Hawaii ranked as the state least impacted by loneliness among older adults. Only 34.3% of older adults live alone – the lowest rate in the country – and it has among the lowest depression and loneliness rates (10% and 3.8%, respectively).

Utah, Alaska, Delaware, and Nebraska also rank among the states least affected by loneliness in older adults. These states tend to have fewer older adults who are single or living alone, as well as more psychologists available relative to their older populations. Notably, although Nebraska has one of the highest rates of older adults living alone (46.1%), it also has the lowest rate of older adults reporting loneliness, at just 3.2%.

Compare how the top- and bottom-ranking states stack up across the six key metrics we used to determine the impact of loneliness on older adults in each state.

Loneliness: This metric directly captures the emotional experience of loneliness among older adults, making it a core indicator of how isolated they feel.

Living Alone: A higher share of older adults living alone suggests fewer daily social interactions, increasing the likelihood of loneliness.

Relationship Status: This reflects the absence of a partner or spouse, which can contribute to reduced companionship and greater risk of social isolation.

Social Engagement: Lower levels of routine communication with close social circles indicate weaker support networks and heightened loneliness.

Depression: Elevated rates of depression can signal both causes and consequences of loneliness, highlighting states where mental health challenges may be more common.

Mental Health Support: Limited access to psychologists may impede older adults’ ability to cope with loneliness and related mental health issues, increasing overall loneliness risk.

Staying socially active as you age can have serious benefits for health and quality of life. Here are five tips to strengthen or build new social connections:

1. Set up standing plans with family and friends. Create simple routines—like a weekly lunch, walk, or card game—with neighbors or nearby friends. Having something on the calendar makes staying connected easier and more consistent.

2. Participate in community-based activities. Local libraries, community centers, and colleges often offer book clubs, classes, and social programs designed for older adults. These settings provide natural opportunities to meet people and stay mentally engaged.

3. Get the right support at home. Care often starts at home but knowing what kind of help is needed can be overwhelming. Care Plans by CareScout provide a personalized guide created by a licensed nurse, helping families understand care needs, supports, and next steps. From there, families can explore appropriate aging support, including vetted home care agencies who not only help with daily tasks but can also make it easier and safer to stay active and connected in the community.

4. Use technology to stay close, even from afar. Video calls, shared photo apps, and simplified tablets designed for older adults make it easier to stay in touch with family and friends – especially when distance is a factor.

5. Explore adult day services for structure, socialization, and caregiver respite. Adult day programs are a highly underutilized option that offer meaningful social interaction, daily structure, and engaging activities for older adults while also giving family caregivers critical time to recharge.

Understanding regional differences in loneliness among older adults is essential for identifying where support systems, community resources and social infrastructure are flourishing and where they may be falling short. By recognizing these geographic disparities, policymakers, caregivers and communities can better target interventions that improve well-being and help older adults stay connected and supported.