Staying Connected to the World

Maybe I’m nuts (my family would say definitely), but when I was younger I thought it would be fun to be a hermit. Perhaps it would be nice to live like Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond. I’d just commune with nature, float through life in sync with the universe but all by myself. I’ve discovered through the years, however, that I’m usually happiest in jobs that involve other people, that I like time to myself yet also like and need social time. I no longer want to be a hermit!

Social isolation is a problem for many older people whether they live at home or in a residence for the elderly. Housing, food, health care, and social connection can be challenging when getting around becomes more difficult. Some people choose to isolate themselves, some are isolated due to mental health issues, others simply don’t have the resources to remain connected. A recent article in the Washington Post discussed the impact of sexual orientation on acceptance within retirement communities (http://bit.ly/197P4EO).

In my own family, although my mother lives in a continuing care retirement community with a caregiver, many friends and family have died and her social circle has shrunk. Sometimes she simply does not remember that one or more of us has come to visit so despite the presence of others, she feels isolated. How much more isolated do people living on their own feel?

Did you know that the National Association of Letter Carriers has a program to monitor the well being of elderly people? http://www.nalc.org/commun/alert/index.html gives you the details. AARP is also working to reduce social isolation among the elderly. http://bit.ly/16gdV64 provides more information. What ideas do you have for helping seniors stay connected?