Skip to Main Immanuel logo
  • Communities

    Immerse yourself in the unique warmth of our communities, where options are tailored to residents' needs. 

    View All

    • Communities
      • Council Bluffs
      • Des Moines
      • Lincoln
      • Omaha
      • Papillion
    • Service Levels
      • 55 Plus Active Living
      • Affordable Communities (Subsidized)
      • Assisted Living
      • Care Navigation
      • Independent Living
      • Memory Support
  • Senior Care

    Discover senior care options tailored to your needs and budget across diverse communities, supporting your desired retirement lifestyle.

    • Immanuel Pathways (PACE®)
      • Central Iowa (Des Moines)
      • Eastern Nebraska (Omaha)
      • Southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs)
    • Skilled Nursing & Long-Term Care
      • Des Moines
      • Omaha
      • About Skilled Nursing & Long-Term Care
    • Home Health & Hospice
      • Omaha
      • Lincoln
  • Who We Are

    Since 1887, Immanuel has exemplified faith, service, and unwavering commitment to seniors. 

    Discover Who We Are

    • About Us
    • Blog
    • Dining
    • Foundations
      • Community Foundation
      • Vision Foundation
      • Celebrating ONE Immanuel
    • Impact
    • Leadership
    • Life Enrichment
    • Spiritual Care
    • Wellness
    Annual Report
    FY24 Annual Report Cover Image

    Get to know more about Immanuel, our successes, and goals in our annual report

    View the report

  • Careers

    Discover diverse career opportunities where your passion meets purpose, from hands-on roles to behind-the-scenes heroes.

    View All

    • Careers Home
    • Benefits
    • Benefits Enrollment
    • Career Development
      • EDIT Program
      • Education Affiliation
      • Day One Orientation
      • Internships
      • Leader First
      • Leadership Principles
      • Leadership Summit
    • Career Paths
      • Life Enrichment & Wellness
      • Culinary
      • Housekeeping
      • Maintenance
      • Nursing
      • Nursing Assistance/Nurse Aide
      • Transportation
      • Other
    • Employee Experience
    • Inclusion
    • Open Positions
    Discover Your Next Career at Immanuel
    Immanuel employee planting flowers with a senior resident.
    Start The Conversation
    • Retirement Living
      • Communities
        • Council Bluffs
        • Des Moines
        • Lincoln
        • Omaha
        • Papillion
      • Service Levels
        • 55 Plus Active Living
        • Affordable Communities (Subsidized)
        • Assisted Living
        • Care Navigation
        • Independent Living
        • Memory Support
    • Senior Care
      • Immanuel Pathways (PACE®)
        • Central Iowa (Des Moines)
        • Eastern Nebraska (Omaha)
        • Southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs)
      • Skilled Nursing & Long-Term Care
        • Des Moines
        • Omaha
        • About Skilled Nursing & Long-Term Care
      • Home Health & Hospice
        • Omaha
        • Lincoln
    • Who We Are
      • About Us
      • Blog
      • Dining
      • Foundations
        • Community Foundation
        • Vision Foundation
        • Celebrating ONE Immanuel
      • Impact
      • Leadership
      • Life Enrichment
      • Spiritual Care
      • Wellness
    • Careers
      • Careers Home
      • Benefits
      • Benefits Enrollment
      • Career Development
        • EDIT Program
        • Education Affiliation
        • Day One Orientation
        • Internships
        • Leader First
        • Leadership Principles
        • Leadership Summit
      • Career Paths
        • Life Enrichment & Wellness
        • Culinary
        • Housekeeping
        • Maintenance
        • Nursing
        • Nursing Assistance/Nurse Aide
        • Transportation
        • Other
      • Employee Experience
      • Inclusion
      • Open Positions
    Start The Conversation

    Search Website

    Blog

      • Immanuel News
      • Retirement Living
      • Senior Care
      • Family Resources
      • Life Enrichment
      • Wellness
      • Employee Experience
      • Innovation
      • Immanuel Foundations
      • Dining
      • Spiritual Care
    Subscribe
    Wellness 2 min read

    Top signs of loneliness: What to look for and how to help

    January 16, 2023
    man looking out window

    “I haven’t seen John at our card nights lately. Wonder if he’s doing okay.” 

    “Ever since Dad passed away, Mom doesn’t keep up the house like she used to.” 

    “I was excited for retirement. But I miss seeing people at work. I wonder if they’re getting on okay without me.” 
     

    Let’s talk about loneliness. 

    We know...we’d rather talk about the fun parts of aging, like traveling more and continued learning in retirement. But there’s this aging elephant in the room that keeps getting pushed aside, and it’s time to call it out. 

    Loneliness has become an epidemic for seniors with 43% of older adults saying they feel lonely on a regular basis. 

    While loneliness can affect anyone, aging life transitions, health changes, and social and family structure changes mean those 55+ are especially at risk. And it’s nothing to push aside. Medical professionals say social isolation substantially increases risk factors for physical and mental illness, including heart disease, dementia and depression. The fact is, loneliness not only lessens quality of life, it shortens life spans. 

    So we’re starting this conversation and for those of you who are worried about your aging loved ones, we’re here to help. 

    Who is at risk for loneliness? 
    Anyone—those who live alone as well as those who live with families—can experience negative effects of social isolation. Loneliness can take years to develop or can appear suddenly. Some days may be good, others bad. Though not an exhaustive list, here are some big life transitions that may increase your loved one’s risk for isolation: 

    • Passing away of a spouse or loved one
    • Divorce or separation
    • Retirement - leaving a job
    • Friends or family moving away
    • A new move
    • A challenging health diagnosis
    • Other big life events, either positive or negative

    What are the signs of loneliness? 
    Recognizing loneliness in our loved ones isn’t easy. Signs come and go, can be subtle, or not always apparent. Further, seniors might feel ashamed or uncomfortable talking about their loneliness or asking for help. Regular contact, visits and conversations with your loved ones can help you determine how your loved one is feeling. The following list are some common signs of loneliness: 

    • Significant change in personality - they just don’t seem as happy as they used to be
    • Decrease in socialization
    • Change in day-to-day habits, such as neglecting appearance or hygiene or not eating properly (weight loss or gain)
    • Significant change in daily routine - letting the house “go,” fixation on material possessions and/or watching TV

    How can I help? 
    Here’s the good news: there’s a simple medicine for loneliness—connection. Senior life transitions can be hard but building connections with other seniors or reconnecting with family or friends can make all the difference. That’s why we’re such a proponent of retirement living—friendly faces are always around the corner as well as organized social opportunities and professionals who can quickly identify major health concerns.
     

    Resources:
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4383762/
    https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic
    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/dec/10/loneliness-dementia-link
    https://www.webmd.com/heart-diseasenews/20160419/lonely-isolated-people-may-be-prone-to-heart-disease-stroke#1 

    Subscribe via Email

    Related Posts

    Retirement Living Copper Shores Village resident reflects on a lifetime of service For nearly five decades, Robert “Bob” Mahaffey has played a vital role in helping shape Des Moines. From business leadership to public service, his …
    February 24, 2025 2 min read
    Retirement Living Grand Lodge residents and staff collect donations for California wildfire victims Residents of Grand Lodge in Lincoln, Nebraska, recently came together to organize a successful donation drive for those affected by the Southern …
    January 30, 2025 2 min read

    Immanuel

    Here for you, not for profit

    In your search for a trusted partner in retirement living and senior care, discover the depth of commitment at Immanuel. Beyond just communities, we offer a spectrum of solutions tailored to your health and wealth needs. Whatever your financial standing, you'll find a welcoming community with us. Rooted in a non-profit foundation, we promise to ensure you receive the dignity, care and respect you've earned.

    Learn more about us

    Couple sitting on a bench together.

    Subscribe via Email

    Subscribe to our blog to get insights sent directly to your inbox.

    Let's Talk

    We’re here to guide you to the right fit.

    Start The Conversation


    Immanuel logo
    Better Business Bureau Accredited Business
    Lutheran Services logo
    • Blog
    • Careers
    • Communities
    • Contact Us
    • Foundations
    • Resources
    ©2025 Immanuel. All rights reserved.
    • Accessibility
    • Agency Staff Compliance Training
    • Language Services
    • Non-Discrimination
    • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
    • Sitemap
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn