Loneliness Is Not a Normal Part of Aging - Community Can Be the Cure Elaine Harris, Vitality Living Milton

As we approach the holiday season, a time filled with togetherness, gratitude, and celebration, it’s important to pause and acknowledge a quieter truth. For millions of older adults, this time of year can feel profoundly lonely.

And while society often treats loneliness as an unfortunate side effect of getting older, here’s the truth: loneliness is not a normal part of aging. It’s a silent epidemic with real consequences, and it’s more widespread than most people realize.

According to a 2023 National Poll on Healthy Aging, more than one in three adults aged 50 to 80 reported feeling isolated at some point during the previous year. Even more alarming, repeated or long-term loneliness has been linked to increased risks of depression, cognitive decline, heart disease, and even premature death.

This issue isn’t just emotional, it’s medical. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called loneliness and social isolation a public health crisis on par with smoking and obesity.

But the good news is, there’s something we can do about it.

A recent 2025 U.S. News & World Report survey explored how moving into a senior living community impacts emotional and physical health. The findings were powerful. Eighty-five percent of older adults said they made new friends after moving in. Sixty-one percent reported that their feelings of loneliness improved. Thirty-three percent said their overall health got better. Residents engaged in physical activity 20 percent more often and reported a stronger sense of purpose 21 percent more often.Learn

These aren’t just numbers. They’re real people who went from surviving the day to truly living it.

At Vitality Living Milton, located right here in the Milton community, we see these transformations happen every day. Whether someone moves in needing a little extra support in Assisted Living or more specialized care in Memory Care, the result is the same: purpose, belonging, and the power of human connection.

“Loneliness doesn’t show up on a lab report, but it absolutely affects health,” says Syndell Lawhon, RN, Vice President of Wellness at Vitality Living. “I’ve spent decades working with older adults, and I can say confidently that being known, heard, and included can change everything.”

So what does loneliness look like? If you're an older adult, or if you're concerned about someone you love, it may show up as a lack of interest in usual routines or hobbies, withdrawal from social gatherings, changes in appetite or sleep, or simply not feeling like yourself. If these signs are present, they may be pointing to more than just a “bad week.”

The holiday season is a natural time for reflection, but it can also be a powerful moment to reconnect. As families gather, consider what it would mean for a loved one, or yourself, to belong to a vibrant, supportive community. At Vitality Living Milton, our team creates an environment where residents are invited to be themselves, pursue purpose, and make meaningful connections every single day.

Whether you’re ready to make a move, or just starting to ask the right questions, we’re here to help.

Vitality Living Milton
Offering Assisted Living and Memory Care in the heart of Milton
P: (678) 765-9882

Learn more: https://www.vitalityseniorliving.com/senior-living-locations/georgia/milton/

Follow them: https://www.instagram.com/vitalitylivingmilton/

Because aging should never mean feeling alone. It should mean living with vitality.