How to Keep Older Adults Connected During COVID-19

With COVID-19 affecting adults aged 60 and older more severely than younger groups, many older adults are choosing to self-isolate or are on lockdown in long-term care and skilled nursing communities. While social distancing is essential to protect those at highest risk, it also increases loneliness and isolation among older adults—especially those living with chronic illnesses.

Public health guidance recommends minimizing in-person contact for older adults to reduce infection risk. At the same time, preventing social isolation and maintaining emotional well-being are critical. Social connection supports physical health, mental health, and a sense of purpose, so it’s important to promote safe ways for older adults to stay connected during the pandemic.

Why social isolation matters

Extensive research links loneliness and social isolation to higher rates of hypertension, heart disease, weakened immune function, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, dementia, and increased mortality. People who suddenly find themselves alone—after the loss of a spouse or partner, retirement, reduced mobility, or limited transportation—are particularly vulnerable.

Conversely, older adults who engage in meaningful activities and maintain social relationships tend to experience better mood, improved health outcomes, and longer lives. That’s why balancing infection prevention with strategies to reduce isolation is so important.

Below are practical, safe, and actionable ways to help older adults stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

8 Tips for Helping Older Adults Stay Connected During the Coronavirus Pandemic

1. Keep in touch with friends and family

Maintaining regular contact with loved ones provides comfort and reassurance during uncertain times. If in-person visits aren’t possible, use phone calls and video options to preserve social ties. Common platforms include FaceTime (iPhone), WhatsApp, and Skype for video calls; if technology is a barrier, a regular telephone call delivers meaningful connection. Aim for consistent, scheduled check-ins so older adults have something reassuring to expect.

2. Make use of free hotlines

There are dedicated hotlines that offer emotional support to older adults and caregivers. Two examples include:

• The Friendship Line: 800-971-0016 — a 24-hour service run by the Institute on Aging that provides friendship and emotional support to older adults who are lonely, grieving, depressed, anxious, or in crisis. Trained staff and volunteers make and receive calls to offer companionship and crisis intervention.
• SAGE Hotline: 877-360-LGBT (5428) — Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders operates a 24/7 toll-free line for LGBTQ older adults, with support in English and Spanish and translation available in many languages.

3. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging provide local resources, services, and referrals. Call or visit your local agency to learn about telephone check-in programs, meal delivery, transportation alternatives, and virtual activities available to older adults in your area. Local agencies can help connect families to community supports tailored to specific needs.

4. Check with local senior centers

Senior centers often operate outreach programs and volunteer phone trees to maintain contact with members. Even if physical programming is suspended, many centers have staff or volunteers who can make regular wellness calls or coordinate virtual social activities. Ask your local Area Agency on Aging for a list of nearby senior centers and their current services.

5. Reach out to religious institutions

Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith communities frequently offer pastoral care and volunteer support. During stressful times, spiritual support can provide comfort. Contact the older adult’s place of worship to ask whether clergy or volunteers are available for phone check-ins, prayer calls, or other forms of pastoral support.

6. Contact disease-specific organizations for chronic illness support

If an older person has a chronic medical condition, national and local chapters of disease-specific organizations can be a valuable resource. These groups may offer telephone counseling, online support groups, educational materials, and referrals. Examples include the Alzheimer’s Association for dementia support, Parkinson’s Foundation for Parkinson’s disease resources, the American Stroke Association, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and American Cancer Society. Reach out to local chapters to learn about remote supports tailored to the specific illness.

7. Ask mental health providers about telehealth

If an older adult is already seeing a mental health provider, ask whether that provider can offer telehealth or tele-mental health appointments by phone or secure video. Many clinicians have expanded remote services during the pandemic to continue therapy, medication management, and counseling without in-person visits. Telehealth can preserve continuity of care while reducing exposure risk.

8. Consider therapy apps and online mental health services

Online therapy platforms and mental health apps provide convenient access to counseling and support, often with flexible scheduling and multiple communication options (text, phone, or video). While not a substitute for specialized local care in all situations, these services can offer additional emotional support when in-person options are limited. Popular platforms include Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Verify credentials, privacy protections, and whether a platform meets the individual’s clinical needs before enrolling.

Supporting older adults during the pandemic requires both protecting physical health through social distancing and actively addressing emotional and social needs. Regular check-ins, using technology to bridge distance, connecting with local aging services, and accessing mental health supports can all help reduce loneliness and promote resilience. Small, consistent acts of contact—calls, messages, scheduled video chats, or organized volunteer check-ins—make a meaningful difference in helping older adults feel connected, supported, and safe.