Most senior survey respondents say they're rarely lonely, if ever. It appears they are too busy and involved with activities to be lonely.
It's no secret that aging comes with numerous challenges, but Nick DiUlio, a Caring.com author, says it might surprise many to learn that loneliness doesn't have to be one of them.
According to a new study commissioned and conducted by Princeton Survey Research and Associates International in January 2016, 628 adults age 65 and older were asked how often they feel lonely or isolated from family and friends.
Considering the survey's findings, it would appear that far fewer Americans aged 65 and older are as lonely as one might assume.
The survey's findings show that only 6 percent of respondents said they "often" feel lonely, while 16 percent said they feel lonely "sometimes," and a staggering 59 percent said they "never" feel lonely.
Psychologists have a more technical explanation.
"This is a subset of a much larger issue, which is the subjective well-being of older adults," says Dr. Paul Chafetz, a Dallas-based gero-psychologist and former associate professor of psychology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
"And what we're finding from more and more research is really the opposite of what most people believe about late life."
Allyson Good curates senior living, health, and family content. She is formerly the Managing Editor of Active Life, a print newspaper published in 2016-2017 for seniors, choosing practical articles on health, money, safety, and everyday living for older readers. She is also an avid gardener and offers up Garden Hints and Tips on a regular basis.