I agree that many more people of retirement age seem to feel more lonely, quite possibly because that feeling is masked in earlier years by the requirements of making a living g and caring for family (both children and elders.)
I have observed, in my family and others, a new and wonderful way to stay connected - we maintain much more contact with our siblings and cousins than when we were all "too busy" - sometimes it can be uncomfortable as we deal with old issues, but it is also freeing to acknowledge that life dealt us all very different hands and we survived, and even thrived. As our parents have passed on, we are the "older generation" now, and many of us are trying to figure out ways to leave not only our individual stories, but those of our extended families, and sometimes our communities, behind.

This gives me an idea...I am going to compile a journal for my kids and grandkids called "Things you might not know about me."
Sue