Drumlin Ridge Winery buzzed with conversation as the members of the Madison Women 50+ group poured in for an afternoon of wine and puzzles.
The women discussed former and current careers, children and grandchildren and the dating apps that were giving them the most success. Whether they are recently divorced, widowed, navigating separation or simply eager to make new friends, all of the women came to the event in hopes of making connections.
According to a recent poll from the American Psychiatric Association, one-third of American adults reported feeling lonely frequently. Older adults are especially at risk of loneliness and social isolation because of factors such as the loss of friends and family members, mobility issues and chronic illness. Additionally, these adults are more likely to experience anxiety and depression and to engage in unhealthy behaviors, like canceling plans or neglecting their own needs.
There are immense benefits to social connection for individuals of any age. Meaningful relationships have the power to reduce the risk of serious illness, such as heart disease and stroke, while increasing potential for greater physical activity and emotional support.
“When you’re retired, you do have to make more of a conscious effort. Especially if you don't have an extended family, because if we didn’t do anything, we could just sit in this apartment and nobody—literally, nobody—would know we were even here,” said Becky Warner, a member of the Madison Women 50+ group. “You do have to get out. You do have to make an effort.”
Making deep, long-lasting connections with new people can be daunting and, often, seemingly impossible for older individuals. There is an unspoken understanding that once someone reaches a certain age, they’ve made all the friends they will have in their lifetime.
Cheryl Campbell and others who are part of the Madison Women 50+ group, which she formed in 2024, reject that notion. As a former nursing home ombudsman, Florida restoration worker and volunteer caregiver, Campbell is an advocate for combating adult loneliness. She doesn’t expect instant best friendships to form at a single meetup, but she sees each event as a spark.
“It's going to be someone who’s a friend of a friend or someone who sees you every day at the coffee shop or some meeting area that you go to in an open work environment who says, ‘Oh, yeah, I heard about something. It reminded me of you,’” Campbell said.
These connections can be life-changing. Older adults without close friends or family are vulnerable to illness, exploitation and declining mental health, but a casual conversation with a new acquaintance can lead to helpful resources, like a doctor referral, transportation advice or guidance on navigating Medicare.
“The main thing I saw in the elderly is that in the absence of connection, their lives are much more fragile,” Campbell said, reflecting on her caregiving years. “It can make the difference between life and death.”
Campbell’s success with her group, which now has over 350 members, is partly due to the diversity of events she hosts in an effort to meet the wide variety of member interests. To harness the most meaningful connections, she limits the capacity of each event and tries to pick activities that allow for conversation with the whole group.
“ She can keep 10 or 12 people coming week after week—and not all meetup groups are that successful. But it works because she thinks of interesting things to do,” like the wine outing and another meetup where women worked together on jigsaw puzzles, Warner said. “That was a fun thing to do.”
Feelings of social isolation and lack of purpose are prevalent among adults who have recently retired or have less daily responsibility.
“In our greater society, we very much focus on productivity. When you’re not productive, you’re sort of discarded, and I think that can be a challenge,” said Jaime Goldberg, a clinical assistant professor and expert on aging at UW–Madison.
To inspire capability and help women feel less marginalized, Campbell hosts practical outings, such as bus-riding lessons. For adults with low vision or hesitancy to drive, transportation is a major barrier to gathering socially.
“I was amazed. I used Google Maps. I didn’t realize you could use it the way she showed us. It tells you how to walk to the bus stop. It tells you what buses are coming. It tells you if they're late,” Warner said.
Meetup groups are crucial for Warner’s social life, as she moved from New Hampshire to Madison just four months ago. Without any other family, she and her sister find community in Cheryl’s group and other community groups, and in learning Mahjong with women in their neighborhood.
“There are times when I’m signed up for a meetup or something and I have to kick myself in the behind to get myself out of the door to go. It would be just easier to sit on the sofa, but if I get out and go, I’m glad that I went. Afterward, you’re gonna feel happy that you went.”
Other types of events hosted by Campbell include breakfast and a short walk, lectures from professors and experts and visits to local art exhibits. Her own past mobility challenges have influenced her to ensure that all walks are accessible, or offer places for women to sit and take breaks. Campbell hopes that women who meet at one of her events will socialize outside of meetings, and she already knows many who do.
