Senior advocates are sounding the alarm about the effects of social isolation on older people in Illinois, saying loneliness is comparable to smoking and can increase the risk of early death by 50%.

Research shows a lack of social connection is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Jeanne Heid-Grubman, director of strategic initiatives for Chicago Methodist Senior Services, called social isolation and loneliness in seniors a "silent epidemic," explaining the older people get, the more likely their interactions with others will decrease.

"A lot of attention is paid to medical issues, physical issues," Heid-Grubman observed. "But it's that social aspect of us as human beings that I feel is kind of neglected."

About 40% of adults over age 60 in Illinois live alone. Heid-Grubman said community initiatives like Chicago Methodist's Senior Connections program, which matches people for intergenerational friendships, aim to encourage connectedness, citing studies showing social connection increases the odds of survival and happiness.

Heid-Grubman noted in her 45-year career, she has seen many people struggle to find meaning in their lives as they age. She argued it is important not to view older adults as "pathetically lonely," because they have a lot to offer. Heid-Grubman shared one client's story of losing her husband and having no local family but finding friendship and joy through her intergenerational "match." She added some matches have grown to become as close as family, sharing holidays and trips together.

"In being able to give that to other people -- their wisdom, their stories about things that they've gone through -- that makes their life have more meaning," Heid-Grubman pointed out.

Richard Frohbose, director of operations for Meals on Wheels of Northern Illinois, said his organization encourages community connectedness through more than 20 café sites. They also partner with local transit services to provide transportation, home-delivered meals and wellness checks to homebound seniors.

"Our clients tells us that they depend on our services," Frohbose stressed. "Some would not eat without us. Some would never see a friendly face or speak to another person."

Frohbose explained they are reaching out to local hospitals and mental health providers to offer "social prescribing" services, and are working on a new technological wellness check initiative to help combat senior isolation in communities across the state.

Eastern Kentucky is still trying to recover from the decline of coal production and a regional nonprofit will soon kick off a digital training initiative for older adults in counties in need of extra job skills.

The nonprofit Shaping Our Appalachian Region was awarded a Community Challenge grant from AARP to help get this program off the ground. Participants will receive free training on artificial intelligence-related tools, Microsoft Office and internet safety.

Colby Hall, executive director of the group, said the classes send a message: Just because a key industry is no longer a force, it does not mean people living here do not have a future in these parts.

"We have a lot of really awesome, hardworking, passionate, caring people that don't want to have to leave to find opportunity," Hall explained.

Whether it is volunteering or seeking a new job later in life, Hall argued communities cannot let older adults fall behind because they have not used much digital technology. He stressed they bring years of knowledge and life experience to a project or business. Beyond remote work opportunities, labor analysts said health care and aerospace are among the in-demand sectors in the region.

As they put the final touches on the program, Hall added they want to ensure people living on a fixed income still have access to devices and other technology after the training.

"We also are going to be able to leverage our office to be able to have rental equipment," Hall pointed out. "They can use computers and have access to internet in the office."

Shaping Our Appalachian Region is based in Pikeville but the training will be offered out of its Whitesburg location. Hall noted they hope to start training the first group later this summer.

AARP Kentucky said this year, a total of eight organizations across the state will share $84,000 in Community Challenge grants.

Six Michigan projects have been awarded funding through AARP's largest-ever Community Challenge grant, aimed at making communities more livable, especially for those 50 and older.

More than $4 million in quick-action grants are supporting close to 400 projects nationwide, including $73,000 for initiatives across Michigan.

Ramon Harris, associate state director of community outreach and engagement for AARP Michigan, said the grants are designed to spark immediate, tangible change in communities.

"These are small grants with big impacts," Harris explained. "Supporting projects that improve public spaces, or it could be housing, transportation, digital access. Since 2017, the program has funded over 1,000 projects nationwide."

In Michigan, better walkability investments include safer crosswalks in Dearborn, more benches in Holland, and upgrades in Marlette. The funding is also helping to expand digital access in Detroit and support home safety checks in Macomb County.

This year, nearly half the grants are going to rural areas, AARP's biggest rural investment yet.

Some corporate giants are joining the effort, including Toyota, helping fund safer streets and sidewalks and Microsoft backing projects to boost broadband access to get more people connected online. Harris emphasized the importance of livable communities as the population ages.

"You buy this beautiful home, you pay it off hopefully by retirement, and then you want to live there, you want to age there," Harris observed. "This is about trying to help make sure a community is viable for people to stay in their homes, stay in their communities and age in place."

In Michigan, one in three residents is age 50 or older; just over 3 million people shaping the state's future.

A new report ranks Colorado as the 15th safest state in the nation for aging in place, tied with Michigan.

A record 4.2 million Americans are expected to reach retirement age this year, and 75% have said they want to stay in their homes as they get older, instead of moving into retirement homes or assisted living, according to AARP's latest data.

Christine Healy, chief growth officer for the senior living technology company Seniorly, the group behind the report, said Colorado's low level of precipitation helped push the state toward the top of the list.

"If we think about what makes a city walkable or accessible for an older adult, you really want to minimize the level of hazards," Healy explained. "Dry, safe walkways are great places for older adults."

Utah, North Dakota and New Jersey took the top three spots. North Carolina, Kentucky and Florida rounded out the bottom three. Healy noted generally, the best states for aging in place make it easier to get around, stay healthy and feel supported. States lagging behind tend to lack support in critical areas including health care access, home care services, and community-level resources.

The number of people aged 65 and older is projected to grow from 63 million this year to just over 82 million by 2050, a 26% increase. Cost is considered to be the greatest factor in retirement planning and staying home can be far less expensive than entering a retirement community or long-term care facility.

Healy believes aging in place can be good for those who can stay socially engaged and active.

"That's not always the case," Healy acknowledged. "A lot of older adults are aging in place on their own, they're becoming more socially isolated, they're not leaving the house as much."

Colorado ranks 12th nationally for both the timeliness of emergency care and the use of smart technologies in the home. But the state ranks 42nd nationally for high housing costs and 38th for access to home meal delivery. Other factors considered in the report include road safety, local walkability and the quality and availability of home health care.


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