
It’s no accident that in our prison system, the punishment we inflict on the most incorrigible inmates is solitary confinement. Over the years many researchers have confirmed and explained the risks of social isolation.
The National Institute on Aging’s research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- A weakened immune system
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cognitive decline
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Death
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. It’s a time of life that can bring challenges that can make it harder to stay connected — emotionally and physically. The loss of a lifelong love, divorce, a chronic illness or change in mobility, retirement, a move to new housing or new community, poverty, lack of transportation options and even access to modern technology all pose threats.

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What stops social isolation?
The cure for social isolation is connection — with other people, with communities you value, and even with your own body through activity and exercise. It often takes deliberate effort to maintain or grow these connections in older adulthood, but programs like the one at Goodman Community Center are here to help.
Community Chat: Fighting Social Isolation
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Goodman Community Center
Doors open 4:30 pm, program begins at 5 pm
Join a panel of local experts as they discuss how social isolation and loneliness impacts older adults and those living with disabilities. Learn What makes social isolation so dangerous and hear what Madison organizations, including Goodman, are doing to foster connection and belonging and to support wellness.
How Goodman Community Center addresses social isolation in older adults
At Goodman Community Center, addressing and counteracting social isolation and creating connections are a key focus of our older adult programs.
Our year-round programs to address social isolation include:
- In-person activities: GCC hosts a wide variety of activities for older adults. From knitting groups, to exercise classes, or from weekly movies to technology support, all activities are designed to keep older adults healthy and engaged. Most are no or low cost, some require preregistration. View the full calendar of upcoming activities and events for older adults. See all older adult activities.
- Online activities: GCC also offers activities via computer streaming services, including Let’s Cook Together and Yoga for older adults who aren’t able to consistently get to GCC’s campus. See all older adult activities.
- Weekday meals: Monday–Friday GCC serves adults ages 60+ lunch for a suggested donation of $4.50. Space is limited and registration 48 hours in advance is recommended. In addition to providing low-cost food the meals, served restaurant style at group tables, lunch provides an opportunity to meet new people and deepen friendships. Learn more about weekday meals and how to register.
- Phone Pals program: Volunteers are available to chat over the phone with anyone who may be experiencing isolation, living alone or simply looking for conversation. Calls can be short or long, and can occur on a weekly or monthly basis according to your preferences. Goodman recently received additional funding to expand the Phone Pals program and is currently enrolling both volunteers and new participants. Contact Gayle (contact info below) for more information on our Phone Pals program.
In Eastside News: Staying connected at any age is important
Cover story by Kristin Groth

Stop by Goodman Community Center’s Ironworks building any weekday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and you’ll see — and hear — a lot of gray-haired people having a good time. At first glance you might think it’s just another senior center. Yawn. But no. It deserves a closer look because you’ll see what healthy aging looks like. We should all be so lucky to have a community like this one — especially when we know many older adults are alone more than is good for them.
Read the full story.
For more information about Goodman's older adult program contact:

Gayle Laszewski
Assistant Director of Older Adult Program
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