Stay Connected to Combat Loneliness and Social Isolation

As people age they often find themselves spending more time at home alone. This can affect your health and well-being. Learn if you might be at risk and how to stay connected.

To share the image, right-click on it and select "save image as" to save the file to your computer. We encourage you to use the hashtag #NIAHealth in your social media posts to connect with people and organizations with similar goals.

Stay connected to combat loneliness and social isolation infographic. Full transcript below.

You may also be interested in

Learning more about loneliness and social isolation
Exploring a social isolation and loneliness outreach toolkit
Watching a video on combatting loneliness and social isolation

Read a transcript of the infographic

Feeling lonely or being isolated are bad for your health. Loneliness and social isolation have been associated with higher rates of depression, a weakened immune system, heart disease, dementia, and early death.*

Are you at risk?

Try to stay active and better connected if you:

live alone or are unable to leave your home
feel alone or disconnected from others
recently experienced a major loss or change
are a caregiver
lack a sense of purpose

Ideas for staying connected

Find an activity that you enjoy or learn something new. You might have fun and meet people who like to do the same thing.
Get moving! Exercise decreases stress, boosts your mood, and increases your energy.
Volunteer. You’ll feel better by helping others.
Stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors in person, online, or by phone.
Consider adopting a pet. Animals can be a source of comfort and may also lower stress and blood pressure.

Learn more about preventing loneliness and social isolation.

*Cacioppo JT, Hawkley LC. Perceived social isolation and cognition. Trends Cogn Sci. 2009; 13(10):447-54