Meeting the mental health needs of older adults through community programs 

According to The National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging, the number of people aged 65 and older in the U.S. is projected to nearly double from 40.3 million in 2010 to 72.1 million by 2030.  

Policy shifts, including cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and services such as Meals On Wheels, impact older adults’ access to care, especially among those relying on public insurance or fixed incomes. The threats to these programs highlight the real-world consequences of the systemic neglect of older adults’ basic needs.  

The mental health needs of older adults are emerging as an urgent but under-addressed priority across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and healthcare sectors.  

Addressing mental health and ​the ​isolation of older adults

While conversations about mental health are now more mainstream, older adults are often excluded and less likely to receive mental health care, despite their increasing rates of depression and anxiety. Older adults with intersecting challenges such as chronic illness, rural residence, or caregiving responsibilities face additional mental health risks. 

These risks are compounded by life transitions such as retirement, bereavement, and structural gaps in care access. Studies have shown that cumulative stressors in late life can increase susceptibility to depression and cognitive decline. Recognizing these patterns is essential in designing programs that are preventative and responsive to common experiences of aging. 

Data also points to social isolation and neglect as significant risk factors. Loneliness rates have quietly risen for decades. Studies have shown a steady increase in isolation since the 1970s, long before the COVID-19 pandemic or ubiquitous social media. Due to a variety of factors, including location, mobility constraints, and access to transportation or support, older adults are more likely to be socially isolated. In 2023, the Surgeon General issued an advisory calling loneliness an epidemic. ​​​​Now, the public has started to pay attention. 

Nonprofits are fostering connection and supporting older adults’ mental health needs 

Loneliness is a public health crisis with devastating consequences,​​​​ linked to a 50% increased risk of dementia and a 29% increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, data across  nearly 150 long-term studies suggest that social connection increases the odds of survival by 50%.   

With growing awareness of isolation’s effects, community-based efforts are emerging to support older adults’ social well-being. What’s especially working are multilingual and culturally tailored initiatives, along with hybrid models (virtual and in-person) to meet each older adult where they are. For example, the Friendship Line, run by the Institute on Aging, the only accredited suicide and crisis support hotline for older adults, provides low-tech access to mental health care.  

Life Story Club facilitates small-group conversations that encourage older adults to reflect on and share personal narratives, fostering connection and meaning-making. Life Story Club understands the importance of tracking indicators of connection and belonging to assess the impact of its social clubs. A recent internal report found the programs to be highly effective: 82% of club members reported feeling less lonely, 99% felt emotionally supported, 95% felt a sense of community, and 47% of referred older adults are actively participating—a strong conversion rate for social programs. 

Rethinking how to fund and deliver care for older adults 

However, gaps remain to be addressed, such as a lack of long-term funding, robust evaluation tools, or staff trained in outcomes measurement. Also, LGBTQ+ older adults, people aging with disabilities, and those with lifelong mental health conditions remain underrepresented.  

Some organizations, such as Service Program for Older People, are piloting collaborative models, sharing referral systems, mental health navigators, or translation services across partners. By integrating with health care systems or other partners, they can demonstrate cost savings and secure diversified funding. 

Nonprofits in health and social services are facing a landscape that is shifting—demographically, politically, and structurally. While the needs of older adults are growing more complex, many traditional funding streams are becoming less reliable. What is working in this moment? Community-based solutions. These programs demonstrate that mental health support can be both relationship-centered and scalable. Furthermore, these models reflect trust, dignity, and accessibility—values that are increasingly essential for aging populations navigating these uncertain times. 

Photo credit: Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images