Older Americans are proud and resilient. For decades they’ve met adversity and tamed it.
It’s a powerful legacy. It’s a lot to live up to. And, it’s not always reality.
That sense of pride can make it hard for seniors to ask for help when life goes sideways – due to their health, the economy, or social connections. Health challenges are a natural part of aging, but barriers to social determinants of health, like loneliness and social isolation can make chronic conditions worse, diminishing quality of life, worsening health outcomes, and increasing mortality.
More than a quarter of Americans live aloneopens new window. And, the senior population, one of the groups at highest risk for social isolation and loneliness, is growing as baby boomers age and people live longeropens new window
Transitioning to retirement can be bumpy, but having a plan (or stumbling upon one) can make the switch smoother, experts say. That’s important because people are living longer and staying in the workforce well into their 60’s and beyond.