Loneliness Epidemic: Why So Many Older Black People Are Dying Alone? | Ask Dave Anderson

Calling once a week or once a month. They need help & things. I just started sending stuff without them asking. I listen to them talk. They listened to me when I was chatty teen.

Because they're awful people who burned all their bridges

I believe the Crack Epidemic dismantled and destroyed a large part of the Black community. A large number of the kids and young adults from that era had no one to raise them properly so once they started having children a new generation was created and long story short here we are today. Of course there were more negative influences that came along but overall it's belief the downfall began in the 80's

There are a lot more elements to this matter.

In many cases, we are deciphering between the elders and those who have just "gotten older". There is a difference.

The elders are the ones who understood the balance between discipline and nurturing, and setting necessary boundaries.

The ones who have "just gotten older" are those who did none of that, but somehow expect to still be taken care of. Many of them refuse to hold themselves FULLY accountable for where they came up short and have never done the work to correct that.

Another part of it is that a lot of people erased those boundaries between children and adults because they didn't want to be like their parents, not realizing the importance of those boundaries.

Man, that ish don't bother me! But that's me because I'm too busy staying busy with my activities !!
Plus, I'm an active guy who's obsessed with staying in shape/fit as I grow older! So I don't have time to think about loneliness !!

Agreed. Love your parents and elders while they are still here. My mother was a phenomenal woman and taught me a lot. I was blessed to have her. She transitioned back in 2015. Still feel the pain today as if it were yesterday. 😢

Kevin Samuels called it

One million percent correct 👏👏👏👏👏

Some older folks are toxic & very stubborn

Could it be an indication of how messed up the Baby Boomer generation is? How they failed as a generation?

Great content…young people are lonely too. We are a collectivist people assimilating into the western individualistic culture. This is my beef with intersectionality because it divides us as a people. My great grandparents would put the needs of the community and family above self. Now it’s the other way around .

Most of families split up and scatter everywhere no contact with elders or each other.

As a bus driver, it sickens me how many elderly people are homeless. They just ride the bus all day and have nowhere to go. If they don’t have a spouse or kids, it’s cookies for them.

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Unfortunately in our Black communities; there are a number of elders whose children were murdered or died from addiction and sickness!
Then there are Elders whose children are in poverty; and they do not have the financial means to take of their elderly parents, aunts and uncles!
Then there are Elders who never had any children!
Lastly; there are children who abandoned their Elders(parents/aunts & uncles!

Right you got people online calling women over 30 old and washed up. The problem is their mindset

I think it's not just black folks 😢

The corporate ideal is keeling us.

So many abandoned to nursing instititutions😭

Every elder isn't wise..They're just older.. Wisdom doesn't always come with age..

My Mother dies at 99 years 7 months. She was at home surrounded by family. She was fortunate and was always around her children, grandchildren and great grands. Her siblings that lived in other parts of the United States died in both home and nursing homes. All wanted to be home. I have a son who is in a rehab facility that has MS and is a double amputee (burn victim). He is 56 years of age and needs a nurse available around the clock. We are trying to get him home near family so that we can assist with his care even though he will need to be in an Adult Care Home. Nursing homes are notorious for mistreating it's residents. This is very concerning.

Parents love and take care of your children

I'm an older FBA woman and I enjoy my time to myself and the peace I have achieved. Not lonely at all.

Most of our mothers and fathers are single parents so this isn’t that surprising. It’s just sad

Believe it or not; there are some elders due to many different factors/reasons; choose to be recluse; or just want to be alone till the end!
It is very true that there are so many elders that are alone due to financial hardships, widowed, out lived many of their relatives, and sadly abandoned by their children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews, and etc!

Where are you getting this information from? Not Reality, Your definitely not outside…I see races of every people old and dying along especially Caucasians. They give their family to nursing homes quick you guys must be watching too much TV and phone screens and believing a fake hype.

You could only trust what you have experienced.

I’m ready to get the fuck out of America men.America is falling fast fast fast.

Toxic independence is one reason. My parents were young parents who spent zero time with their grandchildren (my children) when they were little. Invited them to holiday get-togethers, kids recitals and programs. . . It was no I have to work, I can’t get off, I’m going to someone else’s house, I’ll be on a trip with friends, etc. Now that my daughters are older, they really don’t know their grandparents or have a desire to just visit or call them. Then my parents tell their friends “my grandchildren don’t even call or come see me.” 🙄🙄🙄🤷🏽‍♀️ Relationships are two way and have to be fostered over time. It’s sad. Some people don’t realize that they will someday be elders if they are blessed enough to live. Young seniors who choose to NOT spend quality time with their family during their healthy years may realize there’s no one there to care for them during their latter years.

Brilliant Man!

We all know the reason. I love black men, but they do have a terrible habit of just wanting to bang everything around and not commit to anything. So that could be why. And then black women are having to pick up the slack of two parents together and they don’t really have time for anything else because they have kids because of the black man. Let’s not be dumb now.

This ain't nothing new yalll just copying toxic white american family traits once again and don't realize it on both sides young and old

The sense of community is fractured. In order to change I believe we need to meet in the middle. Like you said, "change the mindset" that works for both the older and younger generation.

Everyone is an expert on everything in 2025. Pick up a book and educate yourself....

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My personal belief (although identified white) The prison industrial complex culprit. Separating families for profit perhaps by design in the 70s/80s. Mostly people of color but really poorer in communities undeserved, underprivileged. I was arrested before I was born, my father served 20 + years in prison, grandfather, family members killed due to gun violence. When laws are created/designed to lock up whole communities (10-20-life-3x your out, min./mandatory sentencing) who is left to raise the youth ? Raised in the streets. Got to get me, me. It takes a healthy village to raise a child. But (my experience and personal belief) are youths are groomed to become socioalpathic. Can you blame them fully? Where are the parents ? In prison, dead addicted to whatever. I've been to prison 4xs, out almost 4 on parole. The deck is stacked against, system, rigged courts, politicians etc. The best I can try to do is lead by example. My belief the little ones are always watching. One day hopefully in their future they may learn by (my example at least) that there is one or 2 humans who still care. Be mindful not to be as judgmental. Never know where someone has been or what there going thru. Many peace be with you.😊

Complex issue

THANK YOU SO MUCH for reporting on this topic. It's very important as our elders neural pathways dis-engage and they die early from a lack of interaction. The brain eventually shuts down from a lack of purpose.

A captivating exploration of the deeper dimensions of life and self. This video is a powerful reminder that every moment holds the potential for transformation if we approach it with awareness. May we all embrace this wisdom and allow it to elevate our experience of living!

Articles and stats actually shows that male seniors citizens (of all races) are the lonely epidemic.

All good here. Single and enjoying peace. Not trying to rock the 🚤. I do check on my parents, but not planning on becoming one. Born alone, die alone. 💪🏽💪🏽

Well said!!! We’ve become too self centered.

I'm so sick and tired of this same conversation over and over.. I can tell everyone really why..
Too many bad minded people Too many people who love and worship Badness and Corruption treating people like trash..
IS that so hard to really figure out ???
Just like with this channel instead of finding something really to talk about in the black community.. it just recycles trash and garbage. No real solutions at all even though they are here and at hand

Just because you are alone doesn't mean the elders are lonely!

Relationships are not automatic. They have to be cultivated and nurtured.

understand that many of the children of elders have passed before them, through drugs, bullets, disease, etc. also many of our younger people have been in incarcerated for twenty, thirty yrs to life. additionally, many of our younger people are homeless and have nothing to offer the elders, because their struggle is too real on their own. our generational connectedness has been broken by the drugs, bullets, many elders (50-60-70) did not have children or only one child. so as much as we many want to bask in the imagery of yesteryear times and people have changed. My only child was murdered 20 years ago. part of my grief was knowing I would have grand children or anyone to look after me in my old age. I planned accordingly. and too many of us were not good parents consequently, children and grandchildren do not want to be bothers with their elderly. i live in and elderly community in NC and see it every day. but we elderly take care of each other as best we can.

As a childless bachelor who just turned 40, I have already prepared myself to die alone. To combat that, I am trying to stay as healthy as possible so I do not need much assistance when I reach my later years.

BECAUSE THE FAMILY UNIT WAS NEVER ESTABLISHED, NO DADDY, MANY BABY MOMMAS. GRANNY DOESN;T HAVE A SOLID FAMILY STRUCTURE AND GRANDDAD WAS OUT THERE STARTING FAMILIES GOD KNOWS WHERE

Funny you ask….! They don’t want. to take care of their kids and the kids grow up without love …. Blk men don’t want a family nor wife…!! They live as if they are going to stay young forever… !! Chasing women especially young women who have no desire to build with him…!! 😱