Final answer:
Older adults tend to have fewer friends due to decreased social interest, limited opportunities, difficulty forming new relationships, and physical limitations. Theories like socioemotional selectivity and exchange theory provide explanations for this reduction in social circles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Older adults might have fewer friends because of a combination of factors, such as decreased interest in social connections, limited opportunities for social interaction, difficulty forming new relationships, and physical impairments. Socioemotional selectivity theory suggests that as we age, we may prioritize closer relationships and become more selective in whom we consider friends. Furthermore, retirement can lead to reduced social contact, and age-related health issues can make socializing more difficult. Exchange theory also adds that the elderly have fewer resources to offer in social exchanges, thus they may experience smaller social circles.
Ageism and physical limitations, such as arthritis or the onset of diseases like Alzheimer's, can add to the difficulties in maintaining social ties. Moreover, life events such as bereavement could lead to a decrease in social support networks. These changes may also affect self-worth and can lead to higher rates of depression and social withdrawal among the elderly, further reducing their opportunities to form new relationships.