6 Signs of Loneliness in Elderly Parents and How to Help

According to AGE UK, 1 in 14 people over the age of 65+ experience loneliness. Even with the love and support of family, friends and four-legged company, people are struggling to stay connected. 

If you have elderly parents and you’re worried that they may be suffering from the effects of loneliness, don’t panic: this helpful guide will walk you through 6 signs of loneliness, and give you the information you need to help them.   

What causes loneliness in older adults? 

The cause of loneliness can vary from person to person. However, there are several reasons why older people are particularly vulnerable to experiencing loneliness and isolation: 

• Reduced mobility: When moving around becomes difficult or painful, your loved one may stop visiting friends or going to places they once enjoyed. This physical limitation can lead to frustration, causing them to withdraw further and avoid social activities altogether.
• Retirement: For many people, work provides daily social connection and structure. After retirement, the sudden loss of these routines and workplace relationships can leave older adults feeling isolated and disconnected.
• Losing friends/family: As we age, we inevitably lose spouses, partners, and friends. Grief makes it harder to form new connections, and many older adults find themselves spending more time alone than ever before, sometimes withdrawing completely from social life.
• Health challenges: Living with illness or injury is isolating. Changing symptoms can leave older adults feeling frustrated, especially if they struggle to communicate what they’re experiencing. Worryingly, some may stop mentioning discomfort or pain altogether, which puts their physical health at risk.

Why is combating loneliness in the elderly important? 

Loneliness isn’t just an emotional issue, it’s a serious health risk.

The mental health impact is clear: chronic loneliness causes depression and anxiety. But the physical consequences are just as concerning. Prolonged isolation accelerates cognitive decline, particularly in people with dementia, and weakens the immune system, making older adults more susceptible to illness.

The good news? Recognising the warning signs early and taking action can protect your parent from the harmful physical, mental, and emotional effects of loneliness.

6 signs of loneliness to watch out for 

1. Sleeping pattern changes 

Loneliness can quietly disturb a person’s natural sleep rhythm. You might notice an older loved one struggling to fall asleep, waking frequently through the night, or sleeping much longer than usual. These changes often reflect emotional restlessness or the absence of a daily connection that helps regulate mood and rest.

2. Weight loss or loss of appetite

When someone feels isolated, even meals can lose their appeal. An older person may eat less or skip meals altogether, especially if they’re dining alone. Over time, this can lead to noticeable weight loss and declining health. 

3. Alcohol consumption

Some people may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with loneliness or fill the silence. A gradual increase in drinking can be a sign that someone is struggling emotionally. 

4. Withdrawal

A key early warning sign of loneliness is pulling away from friends, family, or community activities. In England, around 270,000 people aged 65 and over go a week without speaking to a friend or family member: that’s about 1 in 40 older adults. This silence can be deeply painful and reinforces feelings of invisibility and sadness, causing them to cut themselves off from the people and places they rely on for connection. 

5. Exhaustion

Loneliness doesn’t just weigh on the mind- it drains the body too. Constant feelings of emptiness or disconnection can sap energy and motivation, making everyday tasks feel exhausting. 

6. Poor mental health and intrusive thoughts

Prolonged loneliness can lead to depression, anxiety, and intrusive or hopeless thoughts. These emotions can make it even harder to reach out for help, placing older people at risk of developing damaging coping strategies, harmful habits and even suicidal ideation. 

If you are immediately concerned about a loved one’s safety or the safety of those around them, call 999. The emergency services are equipped to deal with both physical and mental health crises, and can provide immediate help to ensure your safety and theirs. 

How to help elderly parents manage loneliness 

Helping a loved one struggling with loneliness can be scary. Thankfully, there are several strategies you can use to help combat their feelings of isolation and begin to reconnect with the people, places and things around them: 

Ensure they have access to the right care 

Making sure an older loved one has access to proper care is one of the most important ways to combat loneliness. This might include arranging regular home visits, helping them join local community groups, or finding community events where they can socialise safely. 

Remember: professional carers provide not just physical support through hourly or live-in care but meaningful companionship, becoming a consistent, friendly face in their daily lives. Our companionship carers will get involved in hobbies, take your loved one out for trips or meals and help with entertaining friends and family. Whether it’s for company or some extra help around the house, our carers are here to support your loved one.

Encourage them to talk about their feelings 

It can be difficult to open up about feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness, but not talking about these emotions can make things worse. You may find that your parents won’t initiate a conversation on how they feel, not wanting to “burden” you with their worries. 

You can gently encourage them to open up, being sure to listen without judgment, and most importantly reminding them that their feelings are valid. Simply making time to have a cup of tea and chat, or going for a casual stroll together, can help them to feel more connected and understood. 

Ask for help 

We know that you’ll want to do everything you can to help your parents stay connected. But even with the best intentions, other commitments like children and work can make it impossible to be there all the time. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help: respite care can be a great option if you need a little extra support during an especially busy time. Or, for more long-term support, live-in care or hourly care can make sure your loved ones have consistent companionship when you’re not around. 

Prevent loneliness with elderly care from Ashridge Home Care 

At Ashridge Home Care, we know that caring for people is about a lot more than physical support. That’s why we provide holistic elderly care at home that prioritises companionship and connection just as much as physical and mental wellbeing. With our experience and knowledge across specialist care (including dementia and Alzheimer’s care), we also run Memory Cafes to give people living with dementia another opportunity to socialise in a safe, understanding setting. 

Plus our live-in care for couples means we can provide dedicated care to both of your parents, ensuring lifelong companions can continue to spend quality time together.

Whether your parents have more complex needs or are simply looking for companionship and more time with a friendly face, our dedicated carers are on hand to listen and support them. 

Want to find out more about how the team at Ashridge Home Care can help your parents to stay social and connected? Get in touch with our friendly team today and tell us more about your family.