I don’t know if we’re in the “dog days” of summer, but after reaching out to some of my friends, it’s a possibility. It could be the heat that’s keeping folks locked behind doors and the feeling of lethargy that comes with it, or it could be we’re in a perpetual vacation mode. Anyway, since I’ve noticed it’s affecting me, I figure it has to be affecting my friends, too! So, I decided to invite people over for some fun this summer.
Each week we are doing something different. To get the ball rolling we (girls) had a manicure/ pedicure party where we did each other’s nails. For the most part, everyone went away satisfied with where their new colors ended up. We have a week planned to learn different exercises that will strengthen muscles we’ve forgotten about. And, we will have days where we hear about new techniques to improve eye site, hearing loss, and memory, etc. We always include nourishing diet ideas. It’s been nice getting together to learn and do new things. But it’s been especially nice connecting with each other on a more routine basis.
When I stop to think about it, my friends are getting older just as quickly as I am. Most of us are retired or semi-retired. Some of us depend more and more on others to get around, which can decrease our day-to-day activities. With that gradual lifestyle change, some experience more isolation and with it more loneliness. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social isolation and loneliness can lead to health risks for us elderly, including an increased risk of dementia and premature death. I certainly don’t want either!
You may have noticed in yourself or others that as we age, loneliness can lead to mental health complications such as depression, anxiety, or in some cases, more severe mental health concerns. A clinical survey found that when asked how often they feel lonely, one in ten seniors said they feel lonely every day!
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Jodi DeLuca has said about loneliness: “It’s a very overwhelming emotion, because it goes against what we are as human beings. It puts us in survival mode—fight or flight. The research shows that what our bodies go through psychologically, physically, and emotionally when we’re lonely is the same as when there is a perceived threat.”
If that happens to one in ten seniors every day, it certainly is a lot of pressure to handle! We probably all feel loneliness at some point in our lives, but it’s usually temporary. Once we find some connection, the loneliness fades, and we feel whole again.
The older we get we experience more of our loved ones and friends moving on to new locations or ‘higher ground’. And, let’s be honest, building new relationships isn’t easy. We can turn to our computers or TV for a bit of activity and distraction, but what we really need, and thrive on, are genuine in-person connections. A lack of this vital human interaction may be affecting us more deeply than we imagine.
My invitation has been open to my old friends and their friends. Not everyone makes it each week, but they know they are all welcome!
Need some help with that? For more information, contact Youthful Aging Home Healthcare.
Lani Kelly is a research writer for Youthful Aging Home Healthcare.
