Tag: loneliness

Everyone feels lonely from time to time, but the problem can be more serious for seniors who may become isolated from others due to the loss of family and friends or medical conditions that keep them homebound. Loneliness can also be related to depression, a serious mental health complaint. With a little initiative on your part, you can learn to combat, and eventually overcome, loneliness.

1. Make New Friends

It can seem difficult to meet new people and make friends. However, many communities have social programs geared especially toward senior citizens. Ask a family member or caregiver about senior foster care Fall River or help with researching age-appropriate programs and activities.

2. Use Home Visitation Services

Being homebound doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be isolated. Your place of worship or local agency on aging may offer home visitation services. These services come in different varieties; some provide health care services while others are merely for companionship. The point is that someone is checking up on you and spending time with you so you don’t have to be alone. Similar services may provide transportation at little or no cost to you so you can retain a measure of independence.

3. Volunteer

If you are able, doing something for your community can be an excellent way to combat loneliness. Not only does it offer you the opportunity to meet new people, but it also helps to renew your sense of purpose. There are volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program is a service organization specifically for older people.

4. Keep in Touch

There may be old friends whom you have lost touch with over the years. Now may be the perfect time to reconnect. It might be awkward at first if you haven’t talked for a while, but in many cases, good friends can pick up right where they left off.

It can be difficult to take the first step, but you may find that other people are waiting for you to take the lead. … Read More..