An older woman once opened her door to a stranger selling something she neither needed nor ultimately received. Later, when asked why she engaged in the conversation and gave the individual money, her answer was disarmingly simple:
“I had no one else to talk to.”
This response reveals a truth that research has been signaling for years: loneliness is not only a public health issue—it is a risk factor for older adult exploitation.
Across the United States and globally, older adults experiencing social isolation and loneliness are disproportionately targeted by scammers. These encounters are not merely financial crimes; they are deeply relational in nature. Scammers do not only exploit gaps in knowledge or cognition. They exploit gaps in connection.
Loneliness as a risk factor for exploitation
A growing body of peer-reviewed research has established that social isolation and loneliness significantly increase vulnerability among older adults. Loneliness is associated with reduced self-efficacy, impaired judgment under stress, and heightened emotional responsiveness—conditions that make individuals more susceptible to persuasion and manipulation (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2014; Hawkley & Cacioppo, 2010).
Criminological and gerontological studies show that older adults who lack regular social engagement are more likely to engage with unknown callers, door-to-door solicitors, and online contacts, even when warning signs are present (Burnes et al., 2017; Lichtenberg et al., 2016). In contrast, those with strong social networks are more likely to verify information, consult others before making decisions, and disengage from suspicious interactions.
In simple terms: connection creates a shield.
The health consequences of isolation and financial stress
The stakes extend far beyond financial loss.
Loneliness has been shown to increase all-cause mortality at levels comparable to smoking approximately 15 cigarettes per day (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015). It is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, cognitive decline, and functional impairment (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020).
When financial exploitation occurs, the consequences compound. Debt, shame, and fear further isolate older adults, increasing stress hormones and worsening chronic conditions. For some, the psychological toll of being scammed—particularly when it is accompanied by embarrassment or self-blame—leads to withdrawal from remaining social contacts, creating a dangerous cycle of isolation and vulnerability.
This cycle is preventable.
Social engagement as prevention, not afterthought
Traditional approaches to preventing elder fraud focus on education, warnings, and vigilance campaigns. While important, these strategies are incomplete when used in isolation. Information alone does not replace human connection.
Research consistently shows that meaningful social engagement strengthens self-agency, self-efficacy, and self-esteem—all of which are protective factors against exploitation (Bandura, 1997; Chen & Feeley, 2014). When older adults feel seen, valued, and connected, they are less likely to seek interaction from unsafe sources simply to fill emotional gaps.
Connection does not just reduce loneliness.
It restores confidence.
It reinforces identity.
It reminds people that they matter.
Legacy-anchored connection and the Tellegacy approach
The Tellegacy Program is built on a simple but powerful premise: when older adults are engaged in meaningful, legacy-centered conversation, they reconnect with themselves and their communities.
Through structured intergenerational dialogue, older adults share their life stories, values, and experiences with trained listeners. These conversations are not casual check-ins; they are intentional, respectful, and anchored in the older adult’s sense of purpose and contribution.
As participants reflect on their lives and see their stories honored, several changes consistently emerge:
- Increased engagement in meaningful activities
- Renewed participation in community and family life
- Strengthened sense of self-worth and agency
- Reduced feelings of loneliness and desperation
Participants often describe feeling “grounded,” “seen,” and “re-energized.” These internal shifts matter. Research shows that individuals with higher perceived self-worth and social support demonstrate greater resistance to coercive tactics and are more likely to disengage from manipulative interactions (Lichtenberg et al., 2016).
The legacy book as a tangible anchor of worth
A unique and essential component of the Tellegacy Program is understanding that connection must be reinforced, not assumed.
The legacy book—created from these conversations—serves as a tangible reminder that the older adult’s life has meaning, their voice has value, and their story will endure. It is not merely a keepsake. It is an anchor of identity.
In moments of doubt, isolation, or vulnerability, the book stands as evidence: I matter. My life mattered. My story matters.
That reminder is powerful. It strengthens internal resolve and reduces the likelihood that fulfillment will be sought in unsafe or exploitative encounters.
Connection as a life-saving intervention
Every day, older adults are scammed not because they are careless, but because they are lonely.
Every day, financial loss deepens isolation, stress, and declining health.
And every day, this can be interrupted.
Research is clear: social connection is protective. Meaningful engagement reduces vulnerability, strengthens judgment, and improves health outcomes. When older adults remain connected—to people, to purpose, and to their own stories—the need to engage with unsafe strangers diminishes.
This is not a luxury.
It is prevention.
It is protection.
It is care.
Ensuring that older adults remain connected is one of the most effective actions we can take today to reduce exploitation, preserve dignity, and save lives.
Take Action Today
Social connection is not a luxury—it is protection.
If you are an older adult seeking meaningful conversation, a caregiver looking to support someone you love, or an organization committed to reducing loneliness and exploitation, the Tellegacy Program offers a proven, human-centered way to stay connected.
You can sign up for the Tellegacy Program today or help an older adult enroll and begin engaging in intentional, legacy-centered conversations that restore agency, confidence, and connection.
Learn more and get started at: https://tellegacy.org
Connect with use to continue the conversation:social@tellegacy.com
Connection can begin today—and it can change everything.
References (APA Style)
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman.
Burnes, D., Henderson, C. R., Sheppard, C., Zhao, R., Pillemer, K., & Lachs, M. S. (2017). Prevalence of financial fraud and scams among older adults in the United States: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Public Health, 107(8), e13–e21. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303821
Cacioppo, S., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2014). Social relationships and health: The toxic effects of perceived social isolation. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 8(2), 58–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12087
Chen, Y., & Feeley, T. H. (2014). Social support, social strain, loneliness, and well-being among older adults: An analysis of the Health and Retirement Study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31(2), 141–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407513488728
Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 218–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316
Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352
Lichtenberg, P. A., Stickney, L., & Paulson, D. (2016). Is psychological vulnerability related to the experience of fraud in older adults? Clinical Gerontologist, 39(2), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2015.1128503
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Opportunities for the health care system. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25663
