6 Ways Seniors Can Cope With Loneliness
As old age and sickness interfere with your independence, you may feel alone and isolated from your friends and family.
No one likes feeling lonely, and some seniors find living alone too hard. Many begin to have these feelings as soon as they’ve lost a loved one or entered the winter of their lives. There are many causes of loneliness in seniors, but there are also many ways to effectively cope with the problem.
Causes
Loneliness is a complex issue that several factors may cause. Some causes of loneliness in seniors include:
Social isolation — Older adults may feel isolated if they’re no longer able to drive or don’t have transportation to get out of the house. They may also feel isolated if they don’t have any close friends or family members who visit them often.
Problems with relationships — When relationships begin to deteriorate, this can lead to feelings of loneliness. For example, if an older adult feels neglected by their spouse or partner, this could cause them to feel lonely. Additionally, if older adult has lost touch with their friends from school or work, they could start feeling lonely.
Housing changes — Moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home can lead to feelings of depression and loneliness for some seniors. This is especially true if they move far away from their hometowns where they had family and friends who visited regularly.
It is vital to note that social isolation due to the pandemic, even now we have returned to the new “normal,” created extreme loneliness.
Signs of Loneliness In Seniors
The first step in helping your loved one is recognizing the signs of loneliness. Here are some common signs:
- Complains about being alone or not having enough people in their life
- Is withdrawn from friends and family members
- Wants to go out more often but doesn’t have anyone to go with
- Can’t sleep at night due to worrying about being alone all-day
- More often than usual, feeling sad or depressed
- Feeling tired all the time
- Not having fun doing things they used to enjoy
- Having no one to talk to about personal problems or feelings
Loneliness and Mental Health
Loneliness and mental illness go hand-in-hand. It’s not surprising that loneliness can lead to depression, substance abuse, and other serious problems. It’s also no surprise that these issues can make it more difficult for seniors to form meaningful relationships with others.
Loneliness is defined as “being alone” or “the unpleasant feeling associated with lack of companionship.” It’s a natural human emotion that everyone experiences at one time or another. However, suppose you’re an older adult experiencing frequent feelings of loneliness and isolation. An experienced therapist or social worker who deals with these issues would be a good choice.
How To Cope With Loneliness
1. Family and Friends
If you don’t want to see your old friends in person, you can contact them through social media or snail mail correspondence. Or you can ask them to come to visit if they live too far away for regular visits (you could even plan a get-together!).
2. Volunteer
Volunteering is excellent for meeting new people and feeling more connected to their community. Seniors can volunteer at hospitals, nursing homes, and other organizations needing help. Volunteering also gives you something to do each day that provides purpose and meaning in life.
3. Hobbies
Do something you enjoy — gardening, knitting, or reading — as often as possible. Hobbies can also help fill your time when you’re feeling lonely by giving you an activity to focus on and look forward to each day. Try new things like taking up painting, cooking classes, or other activities that will give you something interesting to do while helping you make new friends in your community.
4. Pets
If you’re an animal lover and don’t already have one, consider getting a pet (but be sure to research the needs of older pets first). Pets provide companionship and unconditional love that can make a difference when dealing with loneliness.
5. Healthy Living
Staying healthy while dealing with loneliness is possible with many methods, including:
Make Time For Yourself – Loneliness is often caused by spending too much time with other people. It’s essential to take some time for yourself every day to don’t go overboard with socializing or become overly dependent on others for your happiness.
Stay Active – Exercising will help keep your mind off of the negative feelings associated with loneliness. You’ll also feel better physically, which can help you combat any mental health issues that might arise from being lonely. To feel good about yourself, you should include exercise in your daily routine since endorphins are released in the brain when you exercise.
Eat Healthy Foods – Eating healthy foods contributes to overall well-being, including mental health, so eating well should be a priority for anyone who wants to deal with loneliness effectively. Eating fruits and vegetables helps reduce inflammation in the body.
6. Consider a Senior Living Community
If you are concerned about being alone too often or if you do not have anyone else to help you with daily tasks, such as cooking dinner or taking the garbage out, you might want to consider moving into an assisted living community (assisted living communities also often have activities available).
Proactively Strive To Eliminate Loneliness
These are just some ways you can help seniors cope with loneliness and make the empty spaces in their lives more enjoyable. While most seniors enjoy their time alone, if they feel lonely and left out of social engagements with friends or family, they can experience irreparable damage to their mental health. The best way to prevent this is by proactively creating opportunities for your loved one to remain social. You may not see its benefit right away; who wants to be lonely after all? But having a support group can do wonders for a senior’s mind and body.
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