Loneliness in Seniors - 5 Effective Ways to Deal with It

Agree or not, loneliness is an integral part of life. Like many other human emotions and experiences, loneliness greets every person from time to time.

 We all are vulnerable to it. It’s just that some people know ways to reduce or avoid it for most of their lives. In the least case scenario, they know how to replace loneliness with a feeling of being alone.

 But some people fail to cope with loneliness and crumple. It can happen to any age group, but seniors living alone are prone to it.

 Major Life Changes and Loneliness

 The life of seniors undergoes significant changes as they cross 60. They get retired, battle with an identity crisis, try hard to keep the family-head position, struggle to get their voice heard and opinions considered.

 Besides, social insecurities, growing health issues, and most importantly, facing the loss of a loved one — together makes life harder than ever to deal with.

 Not sure about the younger age, but there are many chances for things to go south as you age. And, there wouldn’t be the luxury of time to rectify or make up.

 Result? Loneliness. This is enough to cause mental health issues, stress, anxiety, and depression in older adults.

 Loneliness and Seniors - Ways to Deal with It

 If you are a senior, show some grit, stand firm, and face whatever life throws at you. To support you in this feat, here is a loneliness coping mechanism that can help.

 Work On Yourself: 

●        If a lifetime has taught anyone anything, it realizes that you are a learner at age 5 and still a learner at age 65 and it continues so.

●        Keep learning and working on yourself to become a better person every single day.

●        Work on your physical health, mental health, relationships, friendships, and everything around you.

●        Being a learner for life makes everything interesting around you. It would, simply, not give any room for you to feel lonely.

 Treat Life with a Sense of Purpose:

●        The thing about purpose is, its self-created. Find your purpose. No, it is not that heavy philosophical or spiritual purpose we are talking about.

●        Your purpose can be taking care of your pet, ensuring the backyard garden is not drying up, or even completing a thing or two on your bucket list.

●        A purposeless life accommodates every negative feeling there can be. It kills the very motivation to wake every day. 

3. Become the God of Small Things 

●        Life is such that it makes us run behind all the glittery goals and blinds us to see what’s real happiness in life is.

●        True happiness lies in having a conversation with your loved one on a breezy evening over a cup of coffee. It lies in feeling the first drops of dew on your toes in the morning. It is in the smell of your favorite dish.

●        And it lies in a million small things that we do every day, but no, we are too busy dreaming big and running behind aspirations. 

●        Start observing small things in life, and happiness greets you in turn! When will you have time to feel lonely if you are busy marveling at the beauty of a flower petal? 

4. If You Look Back, Look Only for Good Memories 

●        Everyone’s life is different, but on the borderline, everyone’s past is the same. It is full of memories and mistakes.

●        When you sit on your favorite chair and reflect on your life, train your mind to bring only the memories. Not the mistakes or regrets.

●        Memories are good. They can be half a century old but still able to put a smile on your face. A smile big enough to connect both your ears!  

●        The best you could do is write them down in a journal so that you can carry them physically with you.  

5. Your Champions of Need

●        Seniority comes with its own needs. You can delay or avoid external support as you age inevitably. Don’t wait too long to seek it.

●        Whether you are a senior living alone or with a family, get in touch with your local home healthcare provider to learn the services they offer.

●        Starting from personal attendants who take care of your morning duties and evening walks, you can avail the services of skilled nursing care specialists who attend to your medical needs.

●        If you have a senior back at home and are concerned about their safety and health, these home care providers also offer long term care for seniors.

 As a senior, you don’t have to be told that your life is your making. It always has been a result of your choices. Choose active retirement life over loneliness. Choose happiness over anything. Your retired life would be a fulfilling experience!