Senior advocates are sounding the alarm about the effects of social isolation on older people in Illinois, saying loneliness is comparable to smoking and can increase the risk of early death by 50%.

Research shows a lack of social connection is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Jeanne Heid-Grubman, director of strategic initiatives for Chicago Methodist Senior Services, called social isolation and loneliness in seniors a "silent epidemic," explaining the older people get, the more likely their interactions with others will decrease.

"A lot of attention is paid to medical issues, physical issues," Heid-Grubman observed. "But it's that social aspect of us as human beings that I feel is kind of neglected."

About 40% of adults over age 60 in Illinois live alone. Heid-Grubman said community initiatives like Chicago Methodist's Senior Connections program, which matches people for intergenerational friendships, aim to encourage connectedness, citing studies showing social connection increases the odds of survival and happiness.

Heid-Grubman noted in her 45-year career, she has seen many people struggle to find meaning in their lives as they age. She argued it is important not to view older adults as "pathetically lonely," because they have a lot to offer. Heid-Grubman shared one client's story of losing her husband and having no local family but finding friendship and joy through her intergenerational "match." She added some matches have grown to become as close as family, sharing holidays and trips together.

"In being able to give that to other people -- their wisdom, their stories about things that they've gone through -- that makes their life have more meaning," Heid-Grubman pointed out.

Richard Frohbose, director of operations for Meals on Wheels of Northern Illinois, said his organization encourages community connectedness through more than 20 café sites. They also partner with local transit services to provide transportation, home-delivered meals and wellness checks to homebound seniors.

"Our clients tells us that they depend on our services," Frohbose stressed. "Some would not eat without us. Some would never see a friendly face or speak to another person."

Frohbose explained they are reaching out to local hospitals and mental health providers to offer "social prescribing" services, and are working on a new technological wellness check initiative to help combat senior isolation in communities across the state.

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and new research examined the connection between dementia and awareness about money management skills.

Some 17,000 South Dakotans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease, and another 17% of residents age 45 and older have what's known as subjective cognitive decline.

Ian McDonough, associate professor of psychology at Binghamton University in New York and the study's co-author, said people with dementia are unaware if they are making errors in handling their bank accounts and other financial tasks. For those without cognitive decline, awareness improved over time.

"When you're aware of those declines, you can adapt," McDonough pointed out. "You can ask for help, you can use calculators. If you're not aware, you might be going on your daily business, doing some mental arithmetic and then that's when those errors might be introduced."

McDonough noted it increases their vulnerability to fraud at a time when Americans, including older adults, are losing more money to scammers. He stressed preventive efforts by caregivers are important so people with dementia can avoid being taken advantage of and still have some autonomy over their finances.

If this type of conversation is needed between a person with dementia and a loved one, McDonough advised it is best to take a measured approach in adding safeguards instead of completely taking control of the person's finances right away. He added a person's relationship with the money they have earned is part of their identity, and making any moves requires preserving their sense of dignity.

"They're not gone (and) we shouldn't treat them like they don't live in society anymore," McDonough explained.

He noted diving in too fast could also be trouble for the relative taking charge if they are unfamiliar with things like investment portfolios. Added precautions could include signing up for extra alerts from a bank or imposing certain withdrawal limits. Next up for researchers is learning how e-banking complicates matters, with tasks like remembering complex login passwords.


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At least 10,000 people retire every day in the United States, with nearly half of them relying on Social Security as their sole source of income.

As lawmakers debate cuts to social service programs, AARP Nebraska has launched a campaign to draw attention to its importance.

AARP Nebraska's "90 days to 90 years" marks the Social Security administration's anniversary in August.

AARP Nebraska state director Todd Stubbendieck said in its 90 years, Social Security has never missed a payment to recipients - and a lot of Nebraskans are relying on that money.

"Forty-three percent of Nebraskans rely on Social Security for at least 50% of their family income, and 17% rely on Social Security for 90% of their income," said Stubbendieck. "So, this program, has direct impacts both on our state and at the individual level."

AARP Nebraska is encouraging Social Security recipients to add their names to an online Pledge for Action to support Social Security, which turns 90 years old on August 15.

Federal lawmakers are debating cuts to federal programs in the Trump administration's budget reconciliation bill that could include changes in Social Security benefits.

Stubbendieck said reductions to the service would be historic.

"I think one of the best things about Social Security is that it has always been a bipartisan issue," said Stubbendieck. "For 65 years, AARP has worked with every president and every Congress on Social Security, so we're confident it will continue to be a bipartisan, popular initiative."

Nearly 371,000 Nebraskans, or nearly one in five people, receive a total of more than $7.7 billion in Social Security benefits every year.

Next Monday marks the beginning of "PROTECT" week, when AARP helps seniors learn the signs of financial fraud.

Experts say Maryland seniors can protect themselves and their finances through education. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost nearly $5 billion due to fraud in 2024, increasing 25% from the previous year. A poll from the University of Michigan found 75% of adults from ages 50 to 80 experienced a scam attempt, and 30% experienced fraud.

Karen Morgan, a member of the AARP Maryland executive council, said a government agency would never call someone out of the blue if there's a problem.

"If the caller is asking or demanding that you do something immediately, that's a huge red flag," she said. "If they're telling you that there's something urgent that you're about to be arrested, that's a huge red flag. You can't get arrested over the phone."

Victims age 60 and older experienced an average loss of more than $80,000, according to AARP.

Jane Dean was a victim of senior financial fraud. She received a call from someone posing as a government agent for the Social Security Administration. Eventually, she paid the scammers more than $25,000.

She said one of the biggest lessons from her own fraud case is taking a pause when you receive an alarming call. She explained that thinking the situation through could save someone from losing thousands of dollars.

"They just need to stop. Stop and just dial it back when you find yourself in a heightened emotional state in response to either a text, phone or email," she said. "That's the most important thing. Put the brakes on."

AARP is streaming a number of free workshops, town halls and interviews on elder financial abuse from Monday through June 20.