Being alone and experiencing loneliness are two very different things.

“Some people require alone time to recharge their batteries,” said Leslie Baker, Pharm.D., BCGP, director of geriatric pharmacy services at the Sanford Center for Aging, part of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. “But there is a balance.”

Social connections are considered a social determinant of health, which are nonmedical factors that influence overall health outcomes, such as where one is born, where one works and age. A 2020 consensus committee report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine shows that “social isolation or loneliness in older adults is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 30% increased risk of incident coronary artery disease or stroke and a 26% increased risk of all-cause mortality.”

The level of connection and engagement one needs varies from person to person, with some people requiring a greater level of interaction and some requiring a lot less.

“Some may not recognize they are lonely,” said Shelby Greene, LCSW, MSW, clinical social services coordinator at the Sanford Center. “In our Sanford Assessment, we see that loneliness can sometimes occur after the loss of a spouse who may have been that person’s only true connection.”

The U.S. surgeon general compared the health risks of loneliness to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. According to PBS, more Americans are reporting loneliness and a decreased engagement in their communities.

“Weekly dinners are not always enough to create a connection, especially if the people at the table are not truly connecting,” said Greene. “That includes watching television together or scrolling social media; these are not true forms of engagement.”

As we age, companionship can influence our longevity, with the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine reporting that social connection could improve survival odds by 50% and they recommended to people, especially older adults, what researchers called the “connection prescription.”

“Some people don’t want relationships,” said Baker. “We first acknowledge that each individual is different, and each person has autonomy to make their own decisions. We cannot force connections, but we highly encourage them.”

What does a beneficial connection look like?

“Ensure it is meaningful,” said Greene. “The person should feel seen, heard and valued. Find topics that feel safe, but they don’t have to be deep. Ask about restaurants they like, their pet or even what the favorite part of their day is. What’s something new you could ask the next time you see a loved one?”