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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For adults over 50, maintaining close friendships isn’t just about having someone to chat with over coffee – it could be integral to their health and well-being. A new study reveals a stark reality: while 75% of older adults say they have enough close friends, those saying they’re in poor mental or physical health are significantly less likely to maintain these vital social connections. The findings paint a concerning picture of how health challenges can create a cycle of social isolation, potentially making health problems worse.
The University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, conducted in August 2024, surveyed 3,486 adults between 50 and 94, offering an in-depth look at how friendships evolve in later life and their crucial role in supporting health and well-being. The results highlight a complex relationship between health status and social connections that many may not realize exists.
“With growing understanding of the importance of social connection for older adults, it’s important to explore the relationship between friendship and health, and identify those who might benefit most from efforts to support more interaction,” explains University of Michigan demographer Sarah Patterson, in a statement.
Patterson, a research assistant professor at the UM Institute for Social Research’s Survey Research Center, emphasizes the critical nature of understanding these social connections. A robust 90% of adults over 50 said they have at least one close friend, with 48% maintaining one to three close friendships and 42% enjoying the company of four or more close friends. However, these numbers drop dramatically for those facing health challenges.
Among individuals reporting fair or poor mental health, 20% have no close friends at all – double the overall rate. Similarly, 18% of those with fair or poor physical health report having no close friends, suggesting that health challenges can significantly impact social connections.
The gender divide in friendship maintenance is notable: men are more likely than women to report having no close friends. Age also plays a role, with those 50 to 64 years-old more likely to report no close friendships compared to their older counterparts 65 and older – a somewhat counterintuitive finding that challenges assumptions about social isolation increasing with age.
When it comes to staying in touch, modern technology has helped keep connections alive. In the month before the survey, 78% of older adults had in-person contact with close friends, while 73% connected over the phone, and 71% used text messages. This multi-channel approach to maintaining friendships suggests that older adults are adapting to new ways of staying connected.
The findings resonate particularly with AARP, one of the study’s supporters.
“This poll underscores the vital role friendships play in the health and well-being of older adults,” says Indira Venkat, Senior Vice President of Research at AARP. “Strong social connections can encourage healthier choices, provide emotional support, and help older adults navigate health challenges, particularly for those at greater risk of isolation.”
Perhaps most striking is the role that close friends play in supporting health and well-being. Among those with at least one close friend, 79% say they can “definitely count on these friends for emotional support in good times or bad,” and 70% feel confident turning to their friends to discuss health concerns. These aren’t just casual relationships – they’re vital support systems that can influence health behaviors and outcomes.
Consider this: 50% of older adults say that their close friends encouraged them to make healthy choices, such as exercising more or eating a healthier diet. Another 35% say friends motivated them to get concerning symptoms or health issues checked out by a healthcare provider, and 29% received encouragement to stop unhealthy behaviors like poor eating habits or excessive drinking.
The practical support is equally impressive: 32% had friends who helped them when sick or injured, 17% had friends pick up medications for them, and 15% had friends attend medical appointments with them. These statistics underscore how friendship networks can function as informal healthcare support systems.
However, the study reveals a challenging paradox: making and maintaining friendships becomes more difficult precisely when people might need them most. Among those reporting fair or poor mental health, 65% say making new friends is harder now than when they were younger, compared to 42% of the overall population. Similarly, 61% of those with fair or poor mental health find it harder to maintain existing friendships, compared to 34% of the general over-50 population.
A desire to form new friendships remains high, with 75% of older adults expressing interest in developing new friendships (14% very interested, 61% somewhat interested). This interest is particularly strong among those who live alone and those who report feeling lonely, suggesting a recognition of the importance of social connections.
The study also reveals an interesting trend among friendships between people from different age groups. Among those with at least one close friend, 46% have a friend from a different generation (defined as being at least 15 years older or younger). Of these, 52% have friends from both older and younger generations, while 35% have friends only from younger generations, and 13% have friends only from older generations. This diversity in friendship age ranges suggests that meaningful connections can transcend generational boundaries.
The implications of these findings extend beyond individual relationships. Healthcare providers are encouraged to recognize the vital role that friends play in their patients’ health journeys, from encouraging preventive care to supporting healthy behaviors. Community organizations are urged to create more opportunities for social connection, particularly those that are inclusive and accessible to people with varying health status.
“When health care providers see older adults, we should also ask about their social support network, including close friends, especially for those with more serious health conditions,” says Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, the poll director and primary care physician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
As one considers the cycle of health and friendship revealed in this study, it becomes clear that the old adage about friendship being the best medicine might have more truth to it than we realized. In an age where healthcare increasingly focuses on holistic well-being, perhaps it’s time to add “friendship prescription” to the standard of care.
Paper Summary
Methodology
This comprehensive study was conducted through a national household survey administered by NORC at the University of Chicago for the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. The survey reached out to a randomly selected, stratified group of 3,486 U.S. adults aged 50-94 between August 5-27, 2024.
To ensure diverse representation, the study included an oversample of non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. Participants could complete the survey either online or by phone, with a completion rate of 36% among those invited to participate.
Key Results
The findings revealed several key patterns: the vast majority (90%) of older adults have at least one close friend, but health status significantly impacts friendship networks. Those with poor health were more likely to be socially isolated, with 20% of those reporting poor mental health and 18% with poor physical health having no close friends.
The study also found strong evidence of friends supporting health behaviors, with 50% receiving encouragement for healthy choices and 35% being motivated to seek medical care when needed. Communication patterns showed a mix of traditional and modern methods, with 78% having in-person contact, 73% phone contact, and 71% using text messages.
Study Limitations
While the survey provides valuable insights, it has several limitations. The 36% completion rate might indicate potential response bias, where those who responded could differ systematically from those who didn’t. The study’s cross-sectional nature means it can’t establish causality – whether poor health leads to fewer friendships or vice versa. Additionally, self-reported data may be subject to recall bias and social desirability bias, where respondents might report what they think is socially acceptable rather than their true experiences.
Discussion & Takeaways
The study highlights the intricate relationship between health and social connections in older adulthood. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should consider patients’ social networks as part of their overall health assessment. The high percentage of older adults interested in making new friends (75%) indicates an opportunity for community organizations to develop more inclusive social programs. The study also emphasizes the particular challenges faced by those with health problems, suggesting a need for targeted interventions to prevent social isolation among this vulnerable group.
Funding & Disclosures
This National Poll on Healthy Aging was conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and was sponsored by AARP. The findings represent independent research and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University of Michigan.
“Fact Checked” by other younger researchers who have a financial interest in creating stories that are click bate. What is the value of this story – ZERO. I’m 69, I have friends, we talk and stay in touch. How I do it, is none of your business, when you get to be 69, we can talk, in the mean time, find a real job that adds value to society, not an OPINION about what you THINK older people are feeling.
FACT – Younger people do not visit their parents/grandparents when they become elderly and in declining healthy – we were Lawyers, Doctors, Researchers, we are intelligent, contribute to society, but we are the most marginalized group of people in the country and not a word other than stupid stories like this.
The elderly adapted in so many way along our journey to make it to elderly status and I don’t need some whipper snapper thinking they can cut the line to recommend fixes to what you think ails me (or are you just trying to “fix” older people so they don’t pester you anymore).
False! So-called ‘friends’ and relatives DRAG the single-minded “I AMness” down: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Friends are far too much work and stress.