Staying connected: the heart of community and belonging
This is the third post in our Grey Matters series exploring the six pillars of wellbeing in later life. In our last two pieces, we examined independence and security, two essentials for building a foundation of wellbeing. Now, we turn to a pillar that often weaves its way through every aspect of later life: staying connected.
Connection in later life isn’t just about avoiding loneliness. It’s about belonging, purpose, and joy. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself; a family, a community, a place, an idea. And while technology offers ways to bridge distance, real human connection remains irreplaceable.
Connection is more than company
In our conversations with people aged 70 to 89, it became clear that staying connected is about much more than simply having people around. It’s about:
Feeling seen: knowing that your presence matters to someone
Feeling heard: being able to share your thoughts and stories
Feeling valued: having something to contribute and knowing others value your input
Staying engaged: keeping up with the world, learning, and participating
Connection, then, is not just social contact. It’s social meaning.
The data: why staying connected matters
While our study primarily focused on independence and security, the conversations often drifted naturally to connection. For many, independence and security were framed as enablers of connection, giving people the confidence to engage and the means to participate.
Studies show that older adults who feel connected to family, friends, neighbours and communities are:
Healthier, both physically and mentally
More likely to stay active and engaged
Less likely to experience depression, anxiety or cognitive decline
The ONS reports that in 2022, 25% of people aged 70 and above reported feeling lonely sometimes or often. That’s a significant proportion of our cohort, and it highlights just how critical meaningful connection is for wellbeing.
What staying connected looks like in practice
Connection can take many forms:
Family ties - regular contact with children, grandchildren and siblings
Friendship circles - coffee groups, hobby clubs, or simply a friendly chat with a neighbour
Community engagement - participating in local events, volunteering, or contributing to community groups
Technology-based connections - video calls, social media, online learning, digital communities
For many older adults, it’s a blend of these that makes the difference. And importantly, the quality of these interactions matters more than the quantity. One meaningful conversation can outweigh dozens of small talk exchanges.
The barriers to connection
Despite the clear benefits, staying connected can be challenging. Some of the common barriers include:
Mobility and transport - difficulty getting out to see friends or family
Digital exclusion - lack of confidence or access to digital tools
Health issues - physical or mental health conditions that make participation harder
Loss of roles - retirement or bereavement can remove key social anchors
Addressing these barriers means designing services and spaces that bring people together, rather than keep them apart.
Connection and identity
Connection also plays a vital role in preserving identity. As people age, they can sometimes feel like the world is moving on without them. Staying connected helps keep people engaged with current events, cultural trends and new ideas. It reinforces a sense of relevance and belonging.
One participant put it perfectly:
“I don’t just want to be in touch with my family - I want to feel like I still have something to say.”
This speaks to the need for services and communities that treat older adults not just as recipients of care, but as contributors to the world around them.
What brands and services can do
For organisations designing products, services or experiences for older adults, the message is clear: connection matters, and it deserves deliberate design attention. That might mean:
Creating spaces that encourage interaction - comfortable communal areas, shared gardens, well-connected public spaces
Supporting technology confidence - training sessions, easy-to-use devices, reliable broadband
Offering activities that align with passions - book clubs, gardening groups, learning opportunities
Designing transport that prioritises accessibility and spontaneity
Building communities that integrate generations rather than isolating by age
Our view
Staying connected is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
It’s the glue that holds together all the other pillars of wellbeing - independence, security, activity, purpose and place. Without meaningful human connection, even the most carefully designed services and spaces can feel empty.
Designing for connection is not about adding a few social events to the calendar. It’s about embedding connection into every aspect of later-life living - so that people feel part of a community, valued as individuals, and able to shape the world around them.
In the next Grey Matters post, we’ll look at the fourth pillar of wellbeing: keeping healthy and active. What does it mean to stay physically and mentally active as we age, and how can we build systems that truly support that goal?
source: Boomer + beyond_What's driving wellness_quantitative study