Limited mobility and chronic health problems can all leave aging adults feeling lonely, unhappy, and unloved. If such unpleasant sentiments persist, your elderly loved one may experience major health problems that endanger their independence.
Loneliness is a common feeling among aging adults who stay all by themselves after retiring. It often leads to social isolation which can cause severe health problems that put your loved ones at risk for various forms of cognitive impairment, increases their risk of death, and is also linked to depression, anxiety, and suicide. Below are effective ways to help seniors feel less lonely.
Reach Out to Them Regularly
You can assist an elderly loved one to feel less lonely by giving them frequent phone calls. If you are separated by a great distance, a phone call is a great method for you to check in on the well-being of your elderly loved one and catch up with them. To let your elderly loved one know you are thinking of them, you can phone once or twice every week.
Calling your elderly loved one once a week, if you have the time, will allow you to check on them more regularly. If they can operate a smartphone or computer, video calls are also an excellent method for your elderly loved one to have a closer connection to you and even see their grandchildren during a chat.
Encourage New Hobbies
Finding new interests for your older loved one is another method to motivate them to remain active and curb feelings of loneliness. To keep from feeling alone and alienated, it’s crucial for elders to remain active and engaged in their community.
Some enjoyable pastimes your loved ones can begin with are:
- Knitting
Aging adults get to express their creativity while learning and exploring a new skill by knitting. They can learn how to knit by reading a book or joining a virtual or physical class.
- Reading
If your aging loved one likes reading, you can think about finding them books to read in their spare time. They also joined a local book club to connect with people who share their love of reading.
- Gardening
Gardening is a popularly recommended activity for aging adults to help them remain active while getting daily doses of Vitamin D. If your aging loved one can’t garden outside, they can still opt for indoor gardening.
- Art
Engaging in arts and crafts is another way an aging adult can explore their creativity to eliminate feelings of loneliness. They can do this in the comfort of their home at their own pace.
Write Letters to Them
If your loved one stays far away from you, they may benefit much from receiving letters from you. This can make it easier for elders to communicate more with you, especially if they don’t know how to use email or other modern technologies. They are able to respond in writing and share their tale and how they are doing with you.
Pen buddy programs are widely available in retirement communities to assist aging adults who might not have relatives nearby. Your loved one can enroll in one of these programs to make friends with other aging retirees in their neighborhood.
