Survey Says: Your Social Circle Shrinks As You Get Older

Do you find that as you get older you have fewer and fewer friends, and it gets harder and harder to make new ones? Well, you are definitely not alone.

A new survey of Americans 55 and older finds:

• The average person over 55 has just four reliable friends.
• 77% say their social circle has gotten smaller as they’ve gotten older.
• 48% say they’ve stopped being friends with at least three people in the last two years.
• And losing friends is making 19% of people feel lonely more than half the week.

But many don’t think it’s a lost cause.

• In fact, 83% of people believe it’s never too late to make friends.
• 70% of those polled say they really want to make new friends.
• 55% say it’s important to find someone who likes the same tings as you.
• 50% want a friend to have a great conversation with.
• 49% want to meet someone with similar life experiences.
• 40% want a friend to be active with.

And it certainly sounds like finding new friends could be good for your health as you get older.

• 64% of people believe they’d be more physically active if they had a buddy to do it with.
• 46% of people have actually made a new friend while being active.
• 37% say it can be lonely being active all by themselves.
• 60% of people would be willing to try out a new activity if they didn’t have to do it alone.
• Specifically, some folks are hoping to make new friends through:
  • Walking or hiking (48%)
  • Swimming (32%)
  • Strength and conditioning classes (31%)

Source: SWNS Digital