New York has the fourth largest population of older adults in the nation, with 4.6 million over the age of 60. By the end of this decade, that number is expected to grow to 5.3 million.

From health care and finances to limited mobility and isolation, growing old presents increasing challenges across the spectrum….and with Americans living longer, they are more likely to live alone; sometimes with limited connectivity to family and community.

Earlier this month the United States Surgeon General raised the alarm, about the devastating impact of what he called an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” in this country -- citing increased physical and mental health consequences and stressing the importance of social connection.

In Staten Island, one restaurant-along with some aging New Yorkers-are cultivating a culture of connection with a tried and true unifier – food. Hari Sreenivasan has the story.