n today’s digital age, handheld devices and social platforms offer new avenues for connection. While technology holds promise for fostering engagement and supporting both mental and physical health, it has yet to fully deliver on this potential. This is especially true for older adults. Instead of reducing social isolation, tech–driven interactions sometimes fall short of addressing the deeper human need for connection. Decades of research link social interaction with healthier aging. Loneliness and isolation negatively affect physical health, mental wellbeing, and life expectancy. In some countries, up to one in three older adults report feeling lonely. Women, particularly those who are divorced, widowed, or unmarried, face elevated risks.
Technology can help bridge this gap, but only if used effectively. Digital innovations, when equitably designed and accessible, can play a key role in reducing isolation among aging populations. Tools like neighborhood GIS data and digital service platforms can identify social needs and connect individuals to support systems. Equally important is the role of health professionals, who can recommend social engagement as actively as they do exercise or nutrition. Aging is not uniform—older adults vary widely in physical ability, mental acuity, interests, and access to resources. Yet their contributions remain significant. They are caregivers, volunteers, and community anchors. Society must recognize this value and invest in systems that promote inclusive wellbeing. That includes public–private partnerships, support for geriatric specialists, and a focus on literacy and accessibility in digital solutions. More than simple niceties, promoting social connection may be a biological necessity that is particularly important as we age. Hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, activated through nurturing and bonding activities, support immune function and reduce stress. Maintaining active social networks may be as crucial to longevity as managing blood pressure or staying physically active.
Ultimately, fostering healthy aging is a shared responsibility. We must empower older adults to engage meaningfully in society—through work, volunteering, and community life—and ensure they have the tools and support to do so. Doing this requires cross–sector collaboration, a cultural understanding of aging, and a deep respect for the longevity journey.
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Advancing aging women's social connections in the digital age
Image via Adobe Stock.
September 26, 2025
Loneliness and isolation negatively affect our wellbeing, particularly as we age, while social interaction is linked with healthier aging. Particularly in the digital age, when innovation can be deeply isolating or empowering, fostering healthy aging is a shared responsibility, writes Yasmeen Long.
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n today’s digital age, handheld devices and social platforms offer new avenues for connection. While technology holds promise for fostering engagement and supporting both mental and physical health, it has yet to fully deliver on this potential. This is especially true for older adults. Instead of reducing social isolation, tech–driven interactions sometimes fall short of addressing the deeper human need for connection. Decades of research link social interaction with healthier aging. Loneliness and isolation negatively affect physical health, mental wellbeing, and life expectancy. In some countries, up to one in three older adults report feeling lonely. Women, particularly those who are divorced, widowed, or unmarried, face elevated risks.
Technology can help bridge this gap, but only if used effectively. Digital innovations, when equitably designed and accessible, can play a key role in reducing isolation among aging populations. Tools like neighborhood GIS data and digital service platforms can identify social needs and connect individuals to support systems. Equally important is the role of health professionals, who can recommend social engagement as actively as they do exercise or nutrition. Aging is not uniform—older adults vary widely in physical ability, mental acuity, interests, and access to resources. Yet their contributions remain significant. They are caregivers, volunteers, and community anchors. Society must recognize this value and invest in systems that promote inclusive wellbeing. That includes public–private partnerships, support for geriatric specialists, and a focus on literacy and accessibility in digital solutions. More than simple niceties, promoting social connection may be a biological necessity that is particularly important as we age. Hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, activated through nurturing and bonding activities, support immune function and reduce stress. Maintaining active social networks may be as crucial to longevity as managing blood pressure or staying physically active.
Ultimately, fostering healthy aging is a shared responsibility. We must empower older adults to engage meaningfully in society—through work, volunteering, and community life—and ensure they have the tools and support to do so. Doing this requires cross–sector collaboration, a cultural understanding of aging, and a deep respect for the longevity journey.
