As a society, we are more isolated than ever, and that’s not just conjecture. Research from numerous institutions — from Harvard and Boston College to PBS and the American Psychological Association — shows that loneliness is steadily on the rise. Year after year, Americans are getting lonelier, and perhaps the most impacted group? Aging adults.
Results from a 2025 AARP survey conclude that 40% of older adults are lonely. The reason is a combination of factors, such as suburban isolation, friends and family moving away and mismatches in relationship expectations.
But isolation doesn’t have to be inevitable. Moving to a Life Plan Community (sometimes known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC) offers independent living residences and access to higher levels of care all on one campus — and it's more than just a care decision. It's a proactive investment in a built-in support system, a transition that encourages an expansion of your social circle, not a desertion.
Below, we take a closer look at the very real impact of loneliness on well-being and detail how Life Plan Community living helps older adults build a more joyful and enriching social life.
A fundamental human need, social connection has a profound effect on mental and physical well-being. Maintaining healthy relationships is an essential part of survival — as humans, we need them just as much as food, water and shelter. The benefits of a sound social life are vast, with higher levels of connection being shown to protect against stress, chronic illness and cognitive decline.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following benefits of healthy relationships, confirming that friendships can:
Raise your sense of connection, belonging and purpose.
Boost your happiness and lower your stress.
Improve your self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.
Help you cope through hard times.
Urge you to change or avoid habits that aren't healthy.
Socialization is so important, in fact, that back in 2023, then-U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy warned against the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” in his Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. The advisory confirms that approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, making isolation “more widespread than many of the other major health issues of our day.” Negative health outcomes and a higher risk of premature death are a direct result. To add, certain groups are at higher risk for social isolation, particularly those who live alone (which happens to be more common in aging populations).
The longitudinal Harvard Study of Adult Development similarly supports the criticality of remaining socially connected, concluding that relationships and community ties are the No. 1 predictor of physical health and cognitive sharpness as we grow older.
Community living redefines retirement by enabling residents to age gracefully alongside their friends and peers. For one, the physical design of a Life Plan Community is intended to naturally generate spontaneous, low-stakes micro-interactions. It’s nearly impossible to avoid bumping into neighbors at the mailroom, walking trails, coffee bar or other public spaces. These informal socialization opportunities exist all over campus, removing the scheduling friction of traditional adult friendships.
Apart from providing numerous shared spaces and convenient avenues for connection, Life Plan Communities like HumanGood also offer other social-specific initiatives, including:
At Piedmont Gardens in Oakland, California, the GEAR (Gratitude, Exercise, Adaptability, and Relationships) program offers a framework to help introverts and new residents fast-track deep connections. GEAR hosts small, intimate meetings of fewer than a dozen residents where these community members can gather to share what’s truly on their minds without fear of judgment.
When Sheila and her partner, Jerry, first moved to Piedmont Gardens, they were pleasantly surprised at how quickly and easily they were able to initiate deep connections and establish lasting friendships. They credit this social success to the kind team members and GEAR, which Sheila enthusiastically helps run. “Joining GEAR was a game changer for us,” Sheila says. “What we received was truly a gift: lifelong friends who have become our village.”
Resident ambassadors actively break the ice by inviting newcomers to meals and starting casual activities, such as walking clubs, to ensure no one eats alone or feels invisible.
According to Sandy at Spring Mill Pointe in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, “Spending time with a resident ambassador is a great way to really embrace and learn the community when you first move in.” As an ambassador himself, he aims to make the transition as seamless as possible for incoming residents, finding fulfillment in knowing he’s one of the first people to welcome them with a warm smile and an opportunity to integrate themselves.
In some communities, you may find welcome clubs, such as the 1st Year Club at Westminster Gardens in Duarte, California. The club aims to welcome new residents with monthly meetings at different places around campus, familiarizing them with the various offerings and introducing them to community-specific events. Not only does this allow newcomers to get the lay of the land, but it also instantly creates connections with existing residents.
Susan and Chuck help run the 1st Year Club at their community, a “job” they say is so completely rewarding. “The people are so welcoming here,” Susan says. “We have made so many great friends.” She attributes this characteristic to the strong spirit of volunteerism that’s interwoven throughout the campus.
Research shows that bonds form much faster when people share a common identity or hobby. On-campus activities and clubs, such as woodshops, quilting studios, fitness classes and music ensembles, allow residents to enjoy themselves while contributing to the community and bonding shoulder to shoulder.
“I take most of the classes, including tai chi, yoga and strength training,” Dr. Hezla, a Piedmont Gardens resident, says. “It’s a wonderful way to meet new people, relax and feel good about yourself.”
Or take Ann, a resident of Springhouse in Boston, who has wasted no time diving into the community’s creative and social offerings. One of her most significant contributions? A memoir-writing group in which residents share and workshop their life stories. Her approach, which emphasizes the art of storytelling and the importance of reflecting on personal experiences, fuels her creative energy while fostering deep connections within the community.
Social connection is crucial for healthy living, especially as we age. As people get older, they become more prone to isolation, so older adults often have to be more deliberate about seeking out opportunities to connect with others and develop adult friendships. Because loneliness is a significant risk for aging adults, taking proactive measures, such as moving to a Life Plan Community — equipped with various initiatives and avenues for social expression — is encouraged.
Aim to broaden your horizons and find ways to connect with others regularly. Your social health should be a priority, which is why Life Plan Communities incentivize connection by taking intentional measures to ensure residents get the socialization they need.
What types of activities and offerings will you take advantage of at a Life Plan Community? The possibilities are endless! For some ideas, check out how real HumanGood residents choose to spend their time and add meaning to their lives.