Ways To Keep Elders From Becoming Too Lonely

The thought of elders brings to one’s mind the loneliness and social isolation that they face; it is a growing concern to not just their families, but also to their doctors. It is significant to note that loneliness involving isolation from friends, family and acquaintances is detrimental to physical and mental health. This calls for ways by which the elders can not only feel less lonely, but also more socially involved.

Ways to help elders feel less lonely and socially isolated:

• Many feel socially isolated or lonely when they lose their spouse and could also suffer from depression, with neither wanting to go and meet friends, nor inviting them to visit them. You would also find that they also suffer from overeating or no eating at all and could also take to dangerous practices like smoking, and drinking that leads to high blood pressure, heart disease and even early death. It depends on the society to help these people to start socializing to feel more wanted and socially involved.

 
• In the modern world today seniors in our society need to remain connected in order to feel loved, wanted and needed; this is well accomplished by senior centers that are there all around the United States of America. These centers play a vital role in entertaining the older folks and keeping them busy and connected. Seniors could visit these centers for games, movies, exercise classes and crafts; some of these centers also offer transportation facilities and meals. It is also significant that these centers also help make elders’ computer friendly and they are able to learn how to operate Skype and e-mail and communicate with their children and grandchildren across the globe. 

• The value of the human touch cannot be overlooked in case of elders at home and in the society. It really feels great when someone touches and holds your hand; most elders have experienced a fall in high blood pressure. The human touch plays a great role in removing social isolation and loneliness as it makes us feel we are alive and need to be connected with people. Eliminating high stress levels social contact makes elder people feel healthy; it has been well said that a smile a day keeps the doctor away.

• Lastly, elders that can go out can be encouraged to go out and exercise to get over loneliness and social isolation; exercise is good for them not only physically, but socially also. The exercise class is a place where they could not only meet their friends, but also make new ones. In addition exercise makes them feel good and also gives them the resources to maintain good balance that helps prevent falls and fractures. It also helps build strength and confidence in them to remain connected and feel socially involved and not lonely.  

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