Depression, loneliness, isolation – even boredom – plague many older adults who live alone, without friends, family or a support network nearby (although many also struggle with these issues in a community setting).
The death of a spouse, beloved pet, close relatives, and friends often trigger these problems, which are further intensified by the difficult process of grief. As seniors face multiple losses among the people they loved, they are also dealing with the losses wrought by the natural aging process (decreased vision, limited mobility, pain, discomfort, etc.). Chronic illnesses like cancer, arthritis, or Alzheimer’s obscure things too, so that even individuals with the most positive outlook on life may find themselves careworn as they try to manage daily life (paying bills, doing laundry, mowing the lawn, cooking, etc.) in the midst of these challenges, with little to no interaction from people, whether peers, relatives or even total strangers.
An excellent blog post by Howard Gleckman, the author of Caring for our Parents, called isolation among seniors “a huge – and widely ignored – challenge”, as he shared memories of his father’s experience with loneliness in the final years of his life.
A transition to senior living can help – although it’s not the only solution, nor does it mean that once you or a loved one moves in, the depression and loneliness dissipates entirely. However, having that daily interaction with people of all ages (from staff to volunteers to the range of ages among residents), can make a life-changing difference.
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Dx-Grief says,
Thank You for POSTING this article, because it is, sad-to-say, so VERY, VERY TRUE…the Isolation, the Loneliness, the Depression, the Boredom + the Overwhelming APATHETIC HELPLESSNESS to want to make changes for one’s self + simply “NOT” being able to just rise from the bed ea Morning, after yet 1-more Sleepless night…No appetite for meals, No desire to be dressed-in case ya need to be READY to go somewhere…even if it is simply to go to the Lobby area of one’s Apt building to check for USPS mail…if it goes on LONG enough…ISOLATION begins to become an Un-welcomed friend, a Sheild, an “Invisible Peek-A-Boo Fence” btw you + the rest of the world as you initially only “Peek” out of the windows from afar + then progress to only “Looking” THRU the Sheer curtains to the bustling world just outside…til FINALLY ya just pull the drapes closed + NEVER bother to look out of the windows ever again…TOTAL ISOLATION…free to eternally sit in a fully illuminated room all alone w/ the TV + PC, or shut off all the lights + just plop onto the couch + Dissociate for hours on end…til you suddenly return to the REAL WORLD…only to discover, you are RIGHT back to where you started from…an hour ago, a week ago, a month ago, a year ago, a decade ago…Oh-h-h, if I had just 1-wish it would be to be able to keep the knowledge that I possess now + be Re-Born in order to follow a much different road in Life. A “LIFE” as Big as John Wayne in the movies…Confident, Fearless + ALWAYS PREPARED to “Take-On” what ever the World may throw your way….always in the company of Trusted “friends”; willing to work hard and equally willing to PLAY until too tuckered out…+ that you have laughed so much all day that you need a break – just ease the muscles of ya Happy + Joy-Filled smiley face…
Oh-h-h…how I long for those unconditional “friendships” + those “Good Ole Days” to return !
on 23 May 2012 / 2:58 AM
Michelle Seitzer says,
Thanks for your comment. You’ve captured well the difficulties that many experience in this stage of life. Appreciate you stopping by the blog and sharing your thoughts!
on 23 May 2012 / 9:46 AM