Older Adults Still Avoid Public Places Since the Pandemic

Author: University of Colorado at Boulder
Published: 10 Apr 2024 - Updated: 8 Nov 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed | Survey, Analysis

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This research from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Michigan draws on the COVID-19 Coping Study, which has followed nearly 7,000 adults aged 55 and older from all 50 states since 2020. Peer-reviewed papers published in 2024 found that 60 percent spent more time at home, 75 percent dined out less, 62 percent visited arts venues less, and 80 percent said there were places they no longer wanted to visit in person, with similar patterns still seen in spring 2023. Fear of infection, protecting vulnerable relatives, and hostile reactions to masks or distancing were the main reasons. The findings matter for older adults, people with disabilities and those with weakened immune systems, who face the greatest risk from both infection and isolation, and for planners who can design safer public spaces.*

At a Glance

1 - A minority said online meetings, concerts and classes had widened their world.
2 - At least 10 percent of older adults said they exercise outdoors more than before.
3 - Many said they now rush through stores and skip casual chats with staff and other shoppers.
4 - The researcher suggests outdoor dining, ventilated venues and hybrid or masked events to help people return.

Topic Definition

Third Places: Third places are the informal public gathering spots, separate from home and work, where people meet, talk and build community, such as cafes, libraries, parks, places of worship, barbershops, community centers and gyms. The term was popularized by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, and researchers see these spaces as especially important for older adults and people who live alone because they offer regular, low-pressure social contact.

Overview

Years after the U.S. began to slowly emerge from mandatory COVID-19 lockdowns, more than half of older adults still spend more time at home and less time socializing in public spaces than they did pre-pandemic, according to new University of Colorado Boulder research.

Participants cited fear of infection and "more uncomfortable and hostile" social dynamics as key reasons for their retreat from civic life.

"The pandemic is not over for a lot of folks," said Jessica Finlay, an assistant professor of geography whose findings are revealed in a series of new papers. "Some people feel left behind."

The study comes amid what the U.S. Surgeon General in 2023 called an 'epidemic of loneliness' in which older adults - especially those who are immunocompromised or have disabilities - are particularly vulnerable.

"We found that the pandemic fundamentally altered neighborhoods, communities and everyday routines among aging Americans and these changes have long-term consequences for their physical, mental, social and cognitive health," said Finlay.

I Just Can't Go Back

As a health geographer and environmental gerontologist, Finlay studies how social and built environments impact health as we age.

In March 2020 as restaurants, gyms, grocery stores and other gathering places shuttered amid shelter-in-place orders, she immediately wondered what the lasting impacts would be. Shortly thereafter, she launched the COVID-19 Coping Study with University of Michigan epidemiologist Lindsay Kobayashi. They began their research with a baseline and monthly survey. Since then, nearly 7,000 people over age 55 from all 50 states have participated.

The researchers check in annually, asking open-ended questions about how neighborhoods and relationships have changed, how people spend their time, opinions and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their physical and mental health.

"We've been in the field for some incredibly pivotal moments," said Finlay, noting that surveys went out shortly after George Floyd was murdered in May 2020 and again after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Collectively, the results paint a troubling picture in which a substantial portion of the older population remains isolated even after others have moved on.

In one paper published in February 2024 in the journal Wellbeing, Space and Society, 60% of respondents said they spend more time in their home while 75% said they dine out less. Some 62% said they visit cultural and arts venues less, and more than half said they attend church or the gym less than before the pandemic.

While that survey was taken about two years before this report, the most recent survey taken in spring 2023 showed similar trends, with more than half of respondents still reporting that their socialization and entertainment routines were different than they were pre-pandemic.

In another paper titled "I just can't go back," 80% of respondents reported that there are some places they are reluctant to visit in person anymore.

"The thought of going inside a gym with lots of people breathing heavily and sweating is not something I can see myself ever doing again," said one 72-year-old male.

Those who said they still go to public places like grocery stores reported that they ducked in and out quickly and skipped casual chitchat.

"It's been tough," said one 68-year-old female. "You don't stop and talk to people anymore."

Many respondents reported that they were afraid of getting infected with a virus or infecting young or immune-compromised loved ones, and said they felt "irresponsible" for being around a lot of people.

Some reported getting dirty looks or rude comments when wearing masks or asking others to keep their distance - interpersonal exchanges that reinforced their inclination to stay home.

Revitalizing Human Connection

The news is not all bad, stresses Finlay.

At least 10% of older adults report exercising outdoors more frequently since the pandemic. And a small but vocal minority said that their worlds had actually opened up, as more meetings, concerts and classes became available online. Still, Finlay worries that the loss of spontaneous interactions in what sociologists call "third places" could have serious health consequences.

Previous research shows that a lack of social connection can increase risk of premature death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and exacerbate mental illness and dementia.

"For some older adults who live alone, that brief, unplanned exchange with the butcher or the cashier may be the only friendly smile they see in the day, and they have lost that," Finlay said.

Societal Health Also at Risk

"It is increasingly rare for Americans with differing sociopolitical perspectives to collectively hang out and respectfully converse," she writes.

Finlay hopes that her work can encourage policymakers to create spaces more amenable to people of all ages who are now more cautious about getting sick - things like outdoor dining spaces, ventilated concert halls or masked or hybrid events.

She also hopes that people will give those still wearing masks or keeping distance some grace.

"It is a privilege to be able to 'just get over' the pandemic and many people, for a multitude of reasons, just don't have that privilege. The world looks different to them now," she said. "How can we make it easier for them to re-engage?"

More on this topic: Seniors News Publications - Psychological Disorders Publications - Aging Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What was the 2023 Surgeon General advisory on loneliness?

In May 2023 the US Surgeon General issued an advisory calling loneliness and isolation a public health epidemic and outlining steps for communities, health systems and individuals to rebuild social connection.

How does isolation affect older adults health?

Social isolation has been linked to higher risks of heart disease, stroke, depression, dementia and early death in older adults.

Options include outdoor walks with friends, small gatherings, video calls, phone check-ins, online classes and visiting venues at quieter times of day.

Are older adults still at higher risk from COVID-19?

Yes, age remains one of the strongest risk factors for severe COVID-19, especially for people with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems.

What makes an indoor space safer from respiratory viruses?

Good ventilation, air filtration, opening windows when possible and avoiding overcrowding all reduce the amount of virus in the air.

Is it normal to feel anxious about returning to public places?

Yes, many people still feel uneasy after the pandemic. Gradual steps, choosing quieter times and talking with a health professional can help if anxiety limits daily life.

How can communities help isolated seniors?

Communities can offer friendly visitor programs, senior center activities, transportation help, accessible outdoor seating and hybrid events that people can join from home.

What is the COVID-19 Coping Study?

It is a long-term study that began in 2020 to follow how adults aged 55 and older across the United States have been affected by the pandemic in their health, routines and relationships.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Small, unplanned conversations with a cashier, a neighbor or a barista are easy to overlook, yet for many older people who live alone they are a steady source of contact and belonging. This study suggests that a substantial share of older Americans quietly lost those moments and have not regained them, a change that may carry real costs for physical, mental and cognitive health. The solution is not to push people back into spaces where they feel unsafe, but to make shared spaces safer and more welcoming, from better ventilation to patience with people who still wear masks. Families, friends and community groups can also help by offering outdoor meetups, regular calls or accompanied outings.*

Attribution/Source(s): This peer-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by University of Colorado at Boulder and published on 10 Apr 2024. Last updated on 8 Nov 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.