JACKSON — Nearly one-third of Mississippi seniors who live alone went the entire month of January without a single meaningful check-in, underscoring concerns about what health officials have called a growing loneliness epidemic in America.
A new survey by Choice Mutual found that 32% of Mississippi residents age 65 and older who live alone reported no one had checked on them since Jan. 1. That equates to an estimated 12,659 seniors statewide who experienced a full month without meaningful social contact.
The findings come as national health experts warn that chronic loneliness can carry health risks comparable to smoking heavily. U.S. leaders, including the former U.S. surgeon general, have described social isolation as a public health crisis, particularly among older Americans.
Choice Mutual surveyed 3,025 seniors nationwide at the end of January, asking a single question: “Has anyone checked in on you since January 1?”
Overall, 26% said no, and Mississippi’s rate exceeded the national average.
The survey identified the five states with the highest share of seniors living alone who reported zero check-ins in January: Wyoming and Oklahoma at 50%, followed by Louisiana at 44%, and Arizona and Connecticut at 42%.
Beyond the headline number, the survey painted a broader picture of winter isolation.
Among seniors living alone nationwide:
- 20% said they feel lonely every day during winter.
- 42% said they feel lonely occasionally.
- 8% reported loneliness several times a week.
- Only 12% said they never feel lonely during the winter months.
- A striking 74% of respondents said winter is when their loneliness feels at its worst.
The emotional toll appears to run deep. Sixty-eight percent said they feel forgotten or invisible during the winter. Nearly three in 10, or 29%, said they do not have even one person they can confide in during difficult times.
More than half, 58%, said they worry their loneliness is harming their health, and 62% reported that isolation affected their physical or mental health this winter.
Even seniors who do not live alone are not immune. The survey found that 65% of older adults who live with a partner still sometimes feel alone.
Anthony Martin, founder of Choice Mutual, said the results should be viewed as a warning.
“Loneliness is often dismissed as a soft issue, but the numbers show it’s anything but,” Martin said. “When a quarter of seniors go a full month without a check-in, that’s not just a social concern — it’s a public-health warning light.”
He said many seniors are not seeking major interventions, but simple connection.
“In many cases, a simple phone call or knock on the door would make a meaningful difference,” Martin said.
The survey also highlighted how difficult it can be for seniors to break the cycle of isolation. While 28% said they are very likely to reach out when feeling lonely, 40% said they are unlikely or very unlikely to do so.
Still, 64% said their well-being would improve if someone reached out more often.
As winter continues and social isolation remains a concern nationwide, advocates say small acts of connection — a call, a visit or a check-in — may be among the most powerful tools to combat what many now consider one of the country’s most overlooked health threats.
