Older Adults Spend Over Half Their Waking Hours Alone, on Average

Americans ages 60 and older are alone for more than half of their daily measured time. All told, this amounts to about 7 hours a day. Among those who live by themselves, alone time rises to over 10 hours a day, according to a Pew Research Center Analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

There are significant variations by age and gender and in time spent alone daily, driven in part by differences in marriage and living arrangements. For instance, people in their 60s report 6 hours and 32 minutes of alone time, compared with 7 hours and 28 minutes for people in their 70s and 7 hours and 47 minutes for people ages 80 and older. Theses age differences are due in part to the fact that older people are far less likely to live with a spouse or partner – 64% of those in their 60s do, compared with 59% of those in their 70s and 36% of those 80 and older.

Older women spend more time alone, on average, than their male counterparts, and this gap widens markedly at the oldest ages. This is largely due to the fact that women ages 60 and older are more likely than their male counterparts to live alone (28% vs. 18%) given their longer life expectancies and higher rates of widowhood – and this gap in living arrangements also widens with age.

Living alone can present many challenges according to Daniel B. Kaplan, Adelphi University School of Social Work and Barbara J. Berkman, Columbia University School of Social Work:

- Because eating is a social activity for most people, some older adults who live alone do not prepare full, balanced meals. Undernutrition, therefore, is a concern. - For older adults with health problems or difficulty seeing or hearing, new or worsening symptoms may go unnoticed.

- Many older adults who live alone have problems following directions for prescribed treatments.

- Many people who live alone feel lonely and isolated.

If you’re worried that a friend or relative is at risk of loneliness, there are some signs you can look for according to the Which? Later Life Care newsletter:

- Verbal clues - when you speak to your friend or relative, they may mention that they are feeling lonely. Even if they don’t actually use the word ‘lonely’, try to read between the lines

- Changes in behavior loneliness may lead them to appear miserable, down, or defeated. On the other hand, they may talk a lot more than usual or want extra physical contact.

- Unexplained health issues - your friend or relative may complain about imaginary illnesses as a way of getting extra attention.

- Befriending unlikely people - one of the ways unscrupulous scammers worm their way into older people’s lives is to make themselves indispensable for doing things around their house or even helping people to remember to take their medication. If a friend or relative has started to spend time with someone you feel may be untrustworthy, try to speak to them about it or reach out to local agencies that can help.

Time spent alone is not necessarily associated with adverse effects, says the Pew Research Center. However, stay focused to identify early warning signs of social isolation and loneliness, because these realities can lead to negative health outcomes.

Promoting Senior Wellness is provided by The Hickman Friends Senior Community of West Chester. A Quaker Personal Care Home in West Chester. This column was written by Hugh Bleemer, Outreach and Admissions Counselor. www.thehickman.org