In contemporary cultural discourse, much attention has been given to the importance of community. Humans have a fundamental need for belonging and social connection. Research consistently indicates that strong satisfying social ties are key to better mental and physical health. Despite this, social bonds appear to be weakening, and loneliness, social isolation, and alienation are reaching unprecedented levels (Salari et al., 2025).
Loneliness is a painful human experience. Unfortunately, it is also a universal experience, as most people are lonely at some point in life. The current loneliness crisis is most evident among young adults, who are the loneliest age group. At the same time, older adults are more vulnerable to the long-term negative effects of chronic loneliness. In later life, individuals face an increased risk of loss, including the loss of friends, family, health, and mobility, conditions that increase loneliness and isolation. If loneliness persists and becomes chronic, it can lead to increased susceptibility to a range of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, dementia, anxiety, depression, and even premature death (Cacioppo, & Cacioppo, 2018; Courtin, & Knapp, 2017). Loneliness is closely linked to social isolation and alienation and occurs when meaningful and satisfying relationships and connections are lacking. We feel lonely and isolated when we feel disconnected from the people, communities, and environments in which we live (Berkman et al., 2017; Barreto, et al. 2021).
Having access to community support, feeling that one is connected to a community, a network of support, serves as an important buffer for preventing loneliness and isolation (McConatha et al. 2023). “Community” can be understood as a person’s network of support including friends, family, and access to social, emotional, and instrumental support including connections with natural environments as well as online spaces. Kahn and Antonucci (1980) proposed an early theory of social support that relates to the contemporary notion of community. The Social Convoy Theory of Support is a framework that addresses the ways that people rely upon various forms of support across the life course. The model emphasizes that while some needs are stable other change over the life course. Making use of three concentric circles of support, from the closest level of support in the inner circle, to less intimate support in the middle circle, to the more peripheral connections in the outer circles. Together the layers comprise a crucial “community of support” surrounding an individual and promoting well-being.
A sense of belonging to a community and access to the resources provided by one’s community can boost resilience and make life’s many challenges more manageable. Such support is especially vital during vulnerable periods and later life transitions. By providing support, affirmation, belonging, and a shared identity, a community can also shape health-related behavior. By offering pathways leading to health promoting behaviors. For example, community support can increase physical and social activities, lead to group gatherings, conversation, walking, talking, civic and political engagement, and mentoring. During periods of uncertainty and transition, belonging to personal, professional, or cultural communities can foster a sense of connection and belonging, which can buffer stress and support overall well-being (McConatha et al., 2023).
A Case Study of One Supportive Community
I recently visited family in a small village that lies a 30-minute drive from the German city of Frankfurt. Like many German villages, it is surrounded by woods and forests but is a short five-minute drive, 10-minute bus ride, or 20-minute walk to the nearby town where life’s daily necessities are easily found. This village is one of many places that exemplify a blend of natural and built spaces that provide a sense of belonging and community. There is a strong commitment to ensuring that all residents, even refugees from other lands, remain engaged, supported, and connected. Neighbors provide both emotional and practical help to one another, creating an environment that fosters social connection and helps prevent loneliness and isolation.
Situated in a wine-producing region, the village hosts a local wine festival each fall. This event provides an example of the commitment to nature, neighbors, and tradition that still exists in many rural areas around the world. Throughout the year, residents organize regular social gatherings where potluck meals are shared, music is played, and everyone is made to feel welcome. These traditions contribute to a strong sense of belonging and a shared identity. In times of difficulty, if someone is sick, if a ride is needed, it is generally offered by one of the neighbors. The village is surrounded by abundant green space, walking trails, wooded areas, and picnic spots are within easy reach. Time in nature, access to natural spaces is an important part of daily life, it is an integral part of the community’s shared activities. For example, apple orchards offer residents the opportunity to adopt a tree, and on designated days, cider-making becomes a community event. These practices reinforce social bonds and preserve cultural heritage. Activities such as tending apple trees, producing cider, playing music, and participating in the care of the surrounding forest help build and maintain a shared identity. For older residents, the village also organizes group walks in the surrounding woods, open to anyone who wishes to join. These walks provide safety, physical activity, and valuable social connection, further strengthening the fabric of the community. They connect generations and provide continuity in a rapidly changing world.
One example is a historic bakehouse, a small building situated in the center of the village. It offers an example of the impact of one small space in a community. In the early 1800s, the building served as a gathering place where women would come together to bake their weekly bread while exchanging news, socializing, and in the process strengthening social ties. Today, the building continues to serve the community as a venue for meetings, musical events, and celebrations. Its ongoing use represents not just the preservation of a historic structure, but the continuation of its original purpose, building a sense of community, bringing people together.
As a regular visitor, I and others have consistently been made to feel welcome. The community actively strives to be open, accepting, and inclusive, creating an environment where residents can access social, emotional, and instrumental support. Of course, no community is without its challenges. Close-knit settings can sometimes become insular, placing pressure on individuals to conform and potentially excluding those who do not. Also, like rural areas everywhere, the need to travel to larger, urban areas for services and resources can present practical limitations.
Overall, however, this village appears to have fostered a community that is open, welcoming, non-judgmental, and supportive of both residents and visitors of different ages and backgrounds. As such, it has helped residents through times of difficulty, pain, and loss. This community offers a compelling example of how everyday life in one small village can align with broader global initiatives aimed at developing inclusive and age-friendly communities. It is an example of how community can help mitigate loneliness and social isolation while promoting well-being and quality of life, particularly in later life.
