 | Shanna Parrish-Taylor is the Director of Nursing at Vintage Place Assisted Living. She is a RN with 9 years long term care experience, experience in critical care as well as hospice setting. Shanna is currently working on her master’s degree towards obtaining her ANRP. For more information on Shanna or Vintage Place please call 620-231-4554.
|
Senior Living
2011-06-01 12:22:00
Symptoms of loneliness – series -part 3
Question: My aunt is really struggling with depression and loneliness. I try to visit her as much as possible but it is really not enough. I try to help encourage her, but all she really does is watch television or talk about how alone she feels. Please tell me how I can help her.
Answer: As we’ve discussed in the previous two articles of this series, seniors often face the reality of outliving friends and even family. Eventually, the social group narrows and they may find it difficult to establish new friends and new habits. Unfortunately, this can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, a huge concern for senior adults. Not only can loneliness rob the joy in life, long term depression can lead to other serious health issues.
It is great that you visit your aunt often, and I would certainly continue that practice. Since you can not be with her always, I would try to help by giving her some tips to combat those feelings.
Here are some important ways to fight loneliness, no matter what your age.
•Keeping busy is key in fighting off loneliness
If you fill your time with activities, it gives your brain positive stimulation. Often when we are feeling down, we withdraw from normal activities. Choose to add one additional activity a day, whether it is caring for a garden, doing a puzzle, or going for a walk.
•Get around people!
If you find that your social group has changed or dwindled, grow it by getting involved in church, support groups, clubs or initiating contact with neighbors that you may not know.
•Find a new hobby
Everyone needs to be passionate about something, and there is never a bad time to learn a new skill. Choose a hobby that will get you outdoors and around people that enjoy the same thing. Or try a hobby that you have always wanted to do but have put off. Things like gardening, metal detecting, and walking will not only give you a brighter look on life, but can put you in a place to meet wonderful new friends.
•Choose to have a positive outlook on life
If you are missing family, choose to spend time with people that need your attention and carving out your own place of making a difference. Keeping your mind focused on what is good will force out negative thoughts.
•Avoid mental escapes
Constantly thinking about what has changed or what once was is good only if it does not bring you down. When you think about those you have lost, try to make it positive and in the present, like thinking about how proud they would be to know that you are tutoring neighborhood children or have taken up another new activity. Focus on what the past has given you that enables you to make something wonderful out of today.
