Tom, you have already received some really good advice to help you decrease your "normal" fears and isolation.
Yes, these golden years are a lot tougher than our parents experienced. A different world then. I live in a 55+ and be careful - I have discovered after 7 years living here it is not like the commercials you see on TV with everyone laughing and socializing together. We have folks here who literally do not leave their homes (& are not sick) or there are those who simply do not wish to engage with anyone, only their spouse/immediate family & simply give you a wave. And it's hard to make "true" friends at our age. It can be done...and lucky if you do. Since you live alone safety is an issue - I would get one of those "alerts" you can wear around your neck and can simply press a button if you need 911 and a "speaker" placed on your phone would call out your name to determine the help you need. God forbid you can not speak they would send out an ambulance. Of course there is a monthly fee but worth it in my opinion. There are a ton of things to do to combat loneliness...as you can see here or simply google it. Night time and weekends can be tough. Plan in advance so you are not left sitting in a chair wondering "what can I do?"
Loneliness is a universal feeling and one can be any age to experience it. When Saint Mother Teresa visited the US years ago she said that "loneliness" was the # 1 mental health issue in this country. I believe it. Other countries in the world take care of their "elderly" and honor them until death. Sadly not in the US. When you are hit particularly hard by loneliness, depressed feelings...sit and pray for help, using your own words or prayer cards. Remember, everything passes in life. The good as well as the bad. The Buddhists know this and practice this in their meditations. And accept it as normal life and suffering. Read up on their philosophy (it's not a religion) - I found it to be a comfort in my moments of despair and I am not a Buddhist. Make a Health & Wellness Plan for yourself with activities listed to do when you are feeling down and lonely. Refer to it and take action! Movement so important for us and so important for mental well being. I have a wonderful husband (# 2) and adult son who every mother would want! I am blessed! Yet, there are times I feel extremely lonely. It is part of life...and eventually will pass - & rear its ugly face another day. Be pro-active to help yourself, be accepting of the good and the bad, don't give up hope or faith. Have trust in your higher power. You will make it. We can do only the best we can and then let yourself off the hook. We are all only human after all and you are not, by a long shot, alone in your feelings. Hang in there, we senior folks are all doing simply that and that's OK 🙂