What would you do if your doctor handed you a prescription with the word “happiness” printed on it? Crazy huh, but Doctors have discovered that loneliness and unhappiness go hand in hand, and they are both detrimental to your health.
Lonely unhappy seniors are at risk for heart attacks, strokes, dementia, and general decline. Statistics reveal that one in six adults over 65 suffer from loneliness, and it’s not going to get better.
Isolation is becoming the norm. People no longer talk to each other. You can go through an entire day without having a conversation with another human being. You text, you shop on-line, you check yourself in at the doctor’s office, you leave and receive phone messages, and you bank without speaking to a live person. It’s sad isn’t it?
What causes isolation, besides any one of the above? Risk factors include living alone, not having family nearby, living with a disability, or not having transportation.
How do you connect:
• Make contact with someone every day, even if it is by phone, internet, or snail mail.
• Take advantage of ride share programs and get out of the house.
• Join a senior center or volunteer
• Walk your dog
• Sign up for visits from a volunteer through your senior center.
People are too busy and preoccupied to make friends anymore. Loneliness is on the rise. The antidote is to make some friends, just a few, but someone you can talk to, someone you enjoy, and someone you can depend on.
Make an effort. Start small by saying hello to your neighbor. What ever happened to the idea of taking a casserole or a plate of cookies to a new neighbor? Do you even know your neighbors?
When you meet someone with similar interest ask if they would like to meet for coffee. There is a chance they might say no, but there is also a chance they might say yes. Don’t be discouraged. Not every interaction will be a good fix, but your options for meeting people are endless. Talk to somebody today!
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