By Francie Stavish
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24 Feb, 2020
Research shows that as a society, despite having numerous ways to digitally communicate, we feel alone more than ever. And no one feels this as much as the senior citizen population does. Senior loneliness is becoming more and more of an issue among the old population. In fact, according to a study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, both loneliness and social isolation are associated with a higher risk of mortality i n adults aged 52 and older. We can imagine why. As we become older adults, our social circles shrink more and more. Family moves away and senior adults have difficulty traveling far distances to get to them. Friends and spouses perish. And communicating with family gets harder and harder as technology develops. Seniors can’t keep up. You can be a light for your beloved senior As their family member or adult child, all you want to do is keep them happy and healthy. And to do that, you can help prevent them from being lonely. The small things you do for them can make huge differences in their mental health and possibly even their physical health. With that said, below are some ideas to include and show support for your beloved senior. 1. Visit as often as you can This is the most obvious thing you can and should be doing, right? If someone is lonely, you visit them-it’s common sense. Encourage your other family members or friends to do the same if they’re not already. As tedious as it sounds, share a calendar with your siblings and truly schedule in times to go visit your senior parents. Let them know you’re coming ahead of time so that they know they have something to look forward to. Bring your children and grandchildren if you have them, and encourage them to spend time with your parents and learn things from them. 2. Make communicating easy for them You probably are aware that your aging parents aren’t the most technologically “savvy” people. Don’t force social media or Facetiming on them if they aren’t open to the idea-it might make them feel even more isolated (with that said, if they’re open to it, teach them!). Think about how you could make communication easy for them. Buy them a phone designed specifically for older people that are sleek, yet easy to use. If they have a landline, make them a phone book with all your family’s cell phone numbers in it and have them keep it in a place that is easy to get to and easy to remember. If they like letters, write to them, and have your kids do so, too. 3. Look into a new home with them that could increase their social interaction Especially if your parent is suffering the loss of a spouse and might be grieving, they might just need a friend that can relate. You could bring up the idea of moving somewhere where more seniors live, like a town or city that is known for being a retirement hub. You could also look into retirement communities or senior centers. If they are not open to the idea, don’t force it on them. However, if you are worried about their safety and think it’s time they downsize, read our article on convincing your aging parents to move. 4. Send them cards and care packages in the mail Especially on holidays, there’s no one who will appreciate a card from you and your family more than your senior parent(s) who may have to be far away by themselves. A great idea to get the whole family involved is to make them a scrapbook and have your kids or siblings each make a page, and write them a note on their own page. If you have younger kids, sit down with them and make Valentine’s Day cards and Christmas cards or ornaments to send to their grandma and/or grandpa. Or better yet, if you live close enough, bring the kids to their home and make those crafts all together. Little things like that will mean the world to your beloved senior parent. 5. Get them a digital photo frame If your aging parent isn’t a necessarily a social media guru, they may feel left out when it comes to sharing photos. People rarely print and send photos in the mail anymore, so how are they supposed to keep up? A digital photo frame might be the best gift you ever give them. Not only is it super-easy to set up and use, it’s like a slideshow photo album for them to just sit and enjoy. Some digital frames have you download an app and upload photos that will instantly sync to their new frame. They don’t have to do anything besides sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. 6. Encourage them to participate in social activities As their adult child, you know what their favorite hobbies are. Now’s the time to really dive into those hobbies and get involved with a community of others who enjoy them to increase social interactions. Ask them what they like to do in their spare time and do some research within their community. Find a book club, church group, gardening group, etc. and ask them if they would be interested in joining. If so, sign them up and go to it with them. It could be a great way for you both to spend time together, and also for them to meet some new friends. You can be a light for them It’s no secret that quality time with your loved ones increases happiness and decreases loneliness. Research shows that social support is strongly associated with better physical and mental health. Keep in mind that your relationship with your senior parent is no different than your relationship with your spouse, children and friends in that you should invest time and energy into it. The little things you do for someone can go a long way. So be the light your beloved senior needs, and have fun with them again. Connect with them and be their encouragement. We all need that when we’re feeling lonely, and you could benefit from that time together, too. *This message is general advice and should not be treated as a medical recommendation. ABOUT FRANCIE STAVISH & ASSOCIATES, LLC. Francie is a Certified Senior Advisor, well connected with real estate agents and other professionals in the North Shore area. She is knowledgeable in the key health, financial, and social issues important to seniors. She enjoys educating people on these issues while presenting to groups of seniors and their families. Those interested can learn more about Francie and her services by clicking here or calling 847-498-6910.