Health
Retirement and loneliness: 3 tips for seniors to combat sadness during their golden years
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For some seniors, retirement brings the unbridled joy of more time with loved ones — but for others, the golden years can end up being quite blue.
More than a third of older adults said they feel lonely at least once a week, according to the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging.
The U.S. Surgeon General even called loneliness and social isolation a “serious health epidemic” in his Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.
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“The transition from a structured work life to retirement can lead to a significant decrease in social interactions and a sense of purpose,” Neal Shah, CEO of CareYaya Health Technologies, an elder care provider in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, told Fox News Digital.
“This, combined with factors like the loss of a spouse, loss of friends or reduced mobility, can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness.”
More than one-third of older adults feel lonely at least once a week, according to the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. (iStock)
Burden of loneliness
While loneliness might seem relatively harmless, experts warn that it can be very harmful.
“Loneliness can have severe consequences on both mental and physical health,” Shah warned.
“It can lead to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline and even an increased risk of developing dementia.”
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The mental effects of loneliness can indirectly impact physical health, Shah said.
“Lonely individuals may engage in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, drinking or having a poor diet,” he said.
“They may also have weakened immune systems — making them more susceptible to illnesses and chronic diseases.”
While loneliness might seem relatively harmless, experts warn that it can be very harmful. “Loneliness can have severe consequences on both mental and physical health,” an expert said. (iStock)
Loneliness has also been linked to an increased risk of stroke, dementia and heart disease, Nassar noted.
“Being lonely can literally and metaphorically break your heart.”
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Loneliness has also been shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, addiction and earlier mortality, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There could be monetary costs associated with loneliness, too, as studies have found that adults over age 50 who are lonely are more susceptible to financial scams.
3 wise ways to relieve loneliness
There are many strategies to help relieve loneliness in older adults — including these three tips.
1. Retired seniors should stay socially active and engaged
“This can include joining clubs or groups that align with their interests, volunteering, attending community events or taking classes to learn new skills,” said Shah.
Loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, dementia and heart disease, experts note. (iStock)
2. They should maintain and nurture existing relationships with family and friends
Shah stressed this point — and noted that adopting a pet can also provide companionship and a sense of purpose.
Nassar echoed the importance of increasing social activities, such as playing cards, joining a book club, partaking in bingo or quiz nights, and being part of a faith group.
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“It is in our nature to want to be with each other, and it’s important we make time to meet this need for connection,” he said.
3. They should lean on technology if they don’t have family or friends nearby
“Video calls, social media and online forums can help [retired seniors] interact with loved ones and like-minded individuals,” said Shah.
Joining clubs or groups that align with their interests, volunteering, attending community events or taking classes to learn new skills are all ways that retired seniors can prevent loneliness. (iStock)
In-home care services or companion programs can also provide regular social interaction and support, he added.
When to reach out for help
While occasional sadness or “blues” are normal, persistent feelings can impact the quality of life and may indicate a more serious depressive disorder, said Shah.
“It’s essential to recognize that loneliness and depression are serious issues that can significantly impact a retired adult’s quality of life,” he said.
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Signs that a senior might be dealing with depression include persistently feeling sad, hopeless or empty for more than two weeks, according to the expert.
“Other indicators include loss of interest in activities the [individuals] once enjoyed, changes in sleep patterns or appetite, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide,” he told Fox News Digital.
If depression symptoms are severe and interfere with daily life, it’s crucial to seek professional help, experts advise. (iStock)
“If these symptoms are severe and interfere with daily life, it’s crucial to seek professional help.”
Family and friends should also monitor retired loved ones.
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If they notice any warning signs, Shah said, the first step is to have an open, non-judgmental conversation expressing their concern.
“Promoting a strong support system, encouraging social engagement and prioritizing mental health is key to helping retired adults thrive,” he said.
“If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent feelings of loneliness or depression, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are numerous resources and professionals available to provide support and guidance.”
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As colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50, a new report reveals some surprising shifts in the incidence of the disease.
Although rates of CRC have been declining among seniors, those 65 and under are facing a rise in diagnoses, according to a report titled Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026, from the American Cancer Society.
Adults 65 and younger comprise nearly half (45%) of all new colorectal cancer cases — a significant increase from 27% in 1995, states the report, which was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The disease is rising fastest among adults 20 to 49 years old, at a rate of 3% per year.
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50. (iStock)
Among adults 50 and under, 75% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Half of the diagnoses in that age range are made between the ages of 45 and 49. Although that age group is eligible to receive routine screenings, just 37% do so.
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The report also revealed that rectal cancer is on the rise, now accounting for about one-third (32%) of all CRC cases — an increase from 27% in the mid-2000s.
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“After decades of progress, the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is climbing in younger generations of men and women, confirming a real uptick in disease because of something we’re doing or some other exposure,” said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director, surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report, in a press release.
Among adults 50 and under, 75% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Half of the diagnoses in that age range are made between the ages of 45 and 49. (iStock)
“We need to redouble research efforts to understand the cause, but also circumvent deaths through earlier detection by educating clinicians and the general public about symptoms and increasing screening in people 45-54 years.”
It is projected that 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year, and that the disease will cause 55,230 deaths, per the report.
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More than half of CRC cases can be linked to high-risk behaviors, the researchers said. Those include lack of nutrition, high alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise and obesity.
“These findings further underscore that colorectal cancer is worsening among younger generations and highlight the immediate need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society.
When the disease is caught at a local (early) stage, the five-year survival rate is 95%. (iStock)
“The report also shines a light on the crucial importance of continued funding for research to help discover new therapies to treat the disease and advance patient care.”
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When the disease is caught at a local (early) stage, the five-year survival rate is 95%, the report stated.
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A new study suggests that middle-aged men may be more vulnerable to faster biological aging, potentially linked to exposure to “forever chemicals.”
The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging, examined how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, could impact aging at the cellular level.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals commonly used in nonstick cookware, food packaging, water-resistant fabrics and other consumer products, the study noted.
Their chemical structure makes them highly resistant to breaking down, allowing them to accumulate in water, soil and the human body.
Chinese researchers analyzed blood samples from 326 adults enrolled in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2000.
A new study suggests that middle-aged men could face accelerated biological aging at the cellular level due to exposure to PFAS. (iStock)
The researchers measured levels of 11 PFAS compounds in participants’ blood and used DNA-based “epigenetic clocks” — tools that analyze chemical changes to DNA to estimate biological age — to determine how quickly their bodies were aging at the cellular level, the study stated.
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Two compounds, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), were detected in 95% of participants.
Higher concentrations of those chemicals were associated with faster biological aging in men of certain age groups, but not in women.
“People should not panic.”
The compounds most strongly linked to accelerated aging were not the PFAS chemicals that typically receive the most public attention, the researchers noted.
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“The associations were strongest in adults aged 50 to 64, particularly in men,” Dr. Xiangwei Li, professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the study’s corresponding author, told Fox News Digital.
“While this does not establish that PFAS cause aging, it suggests that these widely present ‘forever chemicals’ may be linked to molecular changes related to long-term health and aging.”
The study found that two of the compounds were detected in 95% of participants, and higher levels were linked to faster biological aging in men ages 50–64. (iStock)
Midlife may represent a more sensitive biological period, when the body becomes more vulnerable to age-related stressors, according to the researchers.
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, may influence biological aging markers, potentially increasing vulnerability to environmental pollutants.
While Li said “people should not panic,” she does recommend looking for reasonable ways to reduce exposure.
That might mean checking local drinking water reports, using certified water filters designed to reduce PFAS, and limiting the use of stain- or grease-resistant products when alternatives are available.
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Meaningful reductions in PFAS exposure will likely depend on broader regulatory action and environmental cleanup efforts, Li added.
The researchers noted that midlife could be a particularly sensitive stage, when the body is more susceptible to stressors associated with aging. (iStock)
Study limitations
The researchers outlined several important limitations of the research, including that the findings show an association, but do not prove that PFAS directly causes accelerated aging.
“The study is cross-sectional, meaning exposure and aging markers were measured at the same time, so we cannot determine causality,” Li told Fox News Digital.
The study was also relatively small, limited to 326 adults age 50 or older, which means the findings may not apply to younger people or broader populations.
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Researchers measured PFAS levels using data collected between 1999 and 2000, and today’s exposure patterns may differ.
Li added that while PFAS is known to persist in the environment and the body, these results should be validated through larger, more recent studies that follow participants over time.
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