Survey: Seniors Face Loneliness, Stress and Rising Costs This Holiday Season

To better understand how older Americans are experiencing the holidays, the Retirement Living Research Team surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults 60 and older. Respondents answered questions about their living situations, holiday plans, social interactions, sources of stress, spending habits and challenges related to rising costs. Read on to hear some of their stories.

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Nearly 1 in 3 Seniors Want More Social Connection During The Holidays

Of the seniors who plan to spend the holiday alone, about two in five say they rarely have meaningful social interactions during the holiday season. Among all seniors, more than a quarter (27%) wish they had more social connections during this time of year.

Loneliness is all too present among older adults, and not just in the final months of the year. According to a 2023 poll of adults aged 50 to 80 across the U.S., 37% reported experiencing loneliness in the past year. 

And isolation isn’t just an emotional or social matter — it impacts physical health, too. According to a 2023 report from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, the mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to the effect of smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than the risks associated with obesity and physical inactivity.

“Building community is a 365-day-a-year job for older adults. As we age, people move away, and some of our friends pass away, so our inner circle can get smaller quickly,” said Kelly O’Connor, vice president at the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

More than a third of seniors (35%) live alone, but not all seniors are troubled by feelings of loneliness or isolation. Three in five say they don’t wish they had more social connections during the holidays.

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Grandparents Spend Big on Holiday Gifts for Grandkids

While rising costs and inflation are curbing some seniors’ holiday spending, many others plan to be generous gifters this year. Over 37% say they plan to spend $500 or more on gifts this year.

And who’s lucky enough to be on the receiving end of that generosity? Perhaps unsurprisingly, kids and grandkids are at the top of many seniors’ shopping lists. Almost a third (32%) of those buying gifts say they expect to spend the most on their grandchildren, and more than a quarter (26%) intend to spend the most on their children.

Trawling the aisles or scrolling through gift guides to find the perfect present is an exciting part of the season, but be wary of promotions that seem too good to be true. Every year, bad actors take advantage of the season’s most in-demand items with “hot toy” scams. Keep your guard up and stick to trusted retailers, or do thorough research on unfamiliar companies or brands before purchasing online.

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Financial Pressures During The Holidays

Even as some seniors are comfortably spending a significant amount to make the season merry and bright, more than half (54%) say they’ve had to make changes or sacrifices to manage holiday spending this year. The most commonly reported adjustment (16% of respondents) is spending less on gifts, followed by skipping gifts entirely for some people (9%). Some are cutting back their spending on other seasonal trappings, like festive decorations and holiday activities or outings (8%).

While financial stress can be heightened during the holidays, it’s not limited to this time of year. Nearly three in five seniors (58%) are worried their money won’t last through retirement. 

On the bright side, many seniors feel comfortable maintaining their financial boundaries and sticking to their budgets this holiday season. The vast majority (79%) say they don’t feel pressure to spend more than they can afford on gifts, travel, or gatherings.

How Rising Heating Costs Are Impacting Seniors This Winter

Unfortunately, gifts and gatherings aren’t the only things seniors are anticipating spending on this season. As temperatures drop, heating bills rise — and in many parts of the country, they’re rising more steeply than before. According to research from The Century Foundation, monthly home energy costs rose 35% nationwide from March 2022 to June 2025, or nearly three times the overall inflation rate during the same span.

More than two in five seniors (44%) say because of inflation and rising energy costs, they’re not very confident they can keep their home warm and comfortable this winter. An even larger share of respondents (48%) say they’ve reduced heating, or skipped it entirely, to save money.

For some seniors, utility price hikes are cutting into other holiday spending. More than three-quarters (78%) say that rising utility and heating costs have affected their ability to afford other expenses this season.

“For older adults living in single-family homes, rising utility costs can be a real strain, especially for those living alone or on a fixed income,” said Ryan Harrison, senior director of engagement and wellness at Hillcrest, a senior living community in La Verne, California. “Heating a house built decades ago can be expensive, and many seniors feel they have to choose between comfort and cost.”

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Biggest Holiday Stressors for Seniors

It may be “the most wonderful time of year,” but more than four out of five seniors (81%) report experiencing stress during the holiday season.

The hustle and bustle of the season can certainly be overwhelming for some. About 15% of seniors cite crowds and holiday busyness as a source of stress, and more than one in four (28%) say that the cost of gifts or other financial strain contributes to stress.

But the most commonly cited stressor might not be what you’d expect. The largest share of seniors — nearly 37% — say that their biggest struggle this time of year is missing loved ones who have died.

“Older adults are often carrying layers of grief,” said Dr. Barbara Sparacino, an adult and geriatric psychiatrist and founder of The Aging Parent Coach. “It’s not just one loss: it’s a spouse, a sibling, friends, health, independence, a home they had to leave.” 

“The holidays have a way of amplifying grief because they’re so tied to memories and traditions,” added Maureen Scalesi, vice president of quality and compliance at The Bristal Assisted Living, which provides senior living services in New York and New Jersey. “The season brings reminders of those empty chairs at the table or traditions that aren’t the same anymore.”

If you’re experiencing that heartache this holiday season, it’s important to acknowledge those feelings and create space for them, Scalesi said. “Sometimes, finding small ways to honor those we’ve lost, like sharing a favorite story or carrying on a tradition, can help bring a sense of comfort and connection.”

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Tips for a Happier Holiday Season for Seniors

When we asked seniors what they’re most looking forward to this holiday season, one answer kept coming up again and again: Connecting with loved ones. Nearly half (46%) say that they’re most looking forward to seeing family or friends. 

The next most common answer was quiet time and relaxation (16%).

For others, much of that elusive “holiday magic” comes from the sense of expectation and anticipation of cherished traditions and routines. In fact, the third most popular response for what seniors are most looking forward to is celebrating traditions, with about 15% of respondents citing it. 

But 65% of seniors say that small changes could make the season brighter. So, what if this year looked a little different?

When asked what would improve their holiday experience, the top response was “more time with family or friends” (36%). Not far behind were “less financial pressure” (29%) and “better health or energy (23%).

Especially for those seniors struggling with loneliness and grief this season, it’s not just about making connections with loved ones on the major holidays, or even during those weeks and months. Putting in a little extra effort year-round can make a huge difference in your happiness and sense of belonging when the calendar flips to November and December.

“Throughout the year, seniors must focus on building their community through volunteerism, meet-ups and leveraging personal interactions,” said O’Connor, of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. “By opening ourselves up to new relationships and nurturing them, there is a higher probability that the holidays will be more meaningful,” she said.

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Methodology

To better understand the holiday experiences of older adults in the U.S., Retirement Living surveyed 1,000 adults 60 and older in November 2025 via Pollfish, and results were poststratified to better reflect the U.S. population.

The online survey asked about living situations, holiday plans, social interactions, sources of stress, spending habits and challenges related to rising costs and energy bills. Some questions allowed for multiple responses. Percentages are rounded and may not total 100%.

This research is part of Retirement Living’s ongoing effort to highlight the social, emotional and financial realities facing today’s seniors.

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Reference Policy

We love it when people share our findings! If you do, please link back to our original article to credit our research.

Questions?

For questions about the data or if you’d like to set up an interview, please contact [email protected].

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Article Sources

Retirement Living writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts, and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

1. The Century Foundation, “Fueling Debt: How Rising Utility Costs Are Overwhelming American Families.” Accessed Nov. 26, 2025.
2. University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, “Trends in Loneliness Among Older Adults from 2018-2023.” Accessed Dec. 2, 2025
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” Accessed Nov. 26, 2025.