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How to Help Overcome Isolation and Loneliness

The Simple Secret for Overcoming Isolation and Loneliness in Old Age

As we age, we may feel more isolated and lonely than ever. According to a recent study, over a third of seniors report feeling lonely on a regular basis, with social isolation being linked to a higher risk of mortality. However, a simple secret can help seniors combat these emotions and lead a more fulfilling life: connection. In this post, we’ll explore what connection looks like in old age and practical ways to incorporate it into your daily life. By focusing on connection and connecting with others, seniors can overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness and lead a more engaged life.

Understanding Isolation and Loneliness in Old Age

To truly understand how to combat isolation and loneliness in old age, it’s important first to understand what causes these feelings. As we age, we often experience significant changes in our lives, such as retirement, health issues, and losing loved ones. These changes can lead to a sense of disconnection from the world and make it difficult to maintain social connections. With less immediate family and friends nearby, finding new ways to connect with others can be challenging, which may increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. However, by recognizing these challenges and understanding the root causes of these emotions, we can take steps toward leading a more fulfilling and connected life.

The Simple Secret: Connecting with Others

One of the most effective ways to combat isolation and loneliness in old age is to connect with others. While finding new ways to socialize may seem challenging, it’s important to remember that there are plenty of opportunities to connect with others, even from the comfort of your own home. One way to do so is by joining virtual communities or participating in online groups related to your interests or hobbies. This allows you to connect with others who share your passions and provides a sense of purpose and belonging.

Another way to connect with others is by volunteering in your community. Volunteering not only helps you meet new people and build relationships, but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Whether you choose to volunteer at a local charity or join a group that focuses on a cause you care about, you can make a positive impact in your community while also improving your own well-being.

Additionally, regular physical activity, such as going for a walk or joining a fitness class, can help you connect with others while improving your overall health. Exercise not only provides a sense of accomplishment and energy, but it also helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

By incorporating these simple yet effective ways to connect with others into your daily life, you can combat the negative emotions associated with isolation and loneliness in old age.

Practical ways to Incorporate Connection into Daily Life

Connecting with others regularly is crucial for maintaining good mental and emotional health in old age. However, with so many barriers to social interaction, including physical limitations, geographic distance, and illness, it’s challenging to stay connected with loved ones and build new relationships. Here are some practical ways to incorporate connection into your daily life:

First, consider joining a social club or organization that aligns with your interests or hobbies. This can provide a natural opportunity to meet others who share your passions and values and can lead to long-lasting friendships. Consider volunteering with a local organization or charity. This allows you to give back to the community and socialize with others passionate about the same causes as you.
Another practical way to incorporate connection into your daily life is by using technology to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away. Whether it’s a phone call, video chat, or text message, staying connected with family and friends can help combat loneliness and isolation. You can also use social media to connect with others who share your interests or to join online communities focused on topics that interest you.
Finally, consider taking advantage of community resources, such as senior centers, community centers, or adult education classes. These resources can provide many social opportunities, including group activities, classes, and events.

By incorporating these simple yet effective ways to connect with others into your daily life, you can combat the negative emotions of isolation and loneliness in old age.

The Benefits of Connection for Physical and Mental Health

Connecting with others can significantly impact our physical and mental well-being. Studies show that social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of developing various health problems, including heart disease, depression, and dementia.

Maintaining strong social ties can provide many benefits, including better cognitive function, improved immune function, and reduced stress levels. Some research suggests that social interaction can be as important to our overall health as diet and exercise.

For older adults, staying connected with others can be especially important. Regular social engagement can help older adults maintain their independence, improve their quality of life, and extend their lifespan. Plus, connecting with others can provide valuable support and resources, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

So, whether it’s through your local senior center or community center, religious organizations, or simply reconnecting with old friends and family members, taking steps to stay socially engaged can have significant benefits for your physical and mental health.

Feelings of isolation and loneliness can become too common as we age, but there is a simple secret to combating these emotions. Connecting with others can profoundly affect our physical and mental health. Whether through joining a community group, volunteering, or simply reaching out to an old friend, taking small steps to connect can lead to a more fulfilling and engaging life. Remember, it’s never too late to start. So take action today and reap connection benefits in your golden years. As Helen Keller said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

Are you getting out there and making connections? Have you found a place that you fit in, which has made a big difference in your life? Please comment below. I hope you enjoyed this post.

I am confessing here to all the world, diet and exercise haven’t been a part of my life, for most of my life. Until I had children, my weight was fairly stable. And then things got out of hand. There have been several times since the birth of my children that I have weighed as much as I did when I was about to deliver a child. That is not a good feeling, especially at sixty-five.

My biggest downfall in weight loss is sweets. So the post from Monday of this week fits me perfectly. See the picture to the right. Cookies. I love cookies. Maybe I need a picture of Cookie Monster on my refrigerator.

Weight Watchers/WW

About six years ago, I joined Weight Watchers and had success. I met my goal and maintained it. But then our location shut down due to not enough people going to meetings and working on the program. That’s what happens in a small town. This happened years before Covid, so I had no excuse to not join another location, except that driving at night was something I hate doing and I worked full time. I don’t feel like I can see as well as I should at night. Since then Oprah bought Weight Watchers and changed the name to WW and I moved to a different city where I could almost walk to the local WW. But in the meantime, I discovered something else that worked. And I will admit, Oprah Winfrey purchasing the company was not in my book a positive thing.

Trying Something New

So I found a few things to help me on my own. Yes, on my own doesn’t give me the commitment that WW did, nor the encouragement. But the cost is free, which is nice. However, since I had met my goal weight and was maintaining it, I was free at WW. Excuses are so easy for me to make.

No matter what you do to lose weight, make a commitment. You need to change your eating and exercising. I knew I could do it from experience. So what am I doing?

I use My Plate to record all the food and snacks that I eat. I use the free version, but there is a paid version I’m sure has its perks. When I first signed up for it, I had to set a goal amount to lose and the app calculated how many calories I could eat each day. If you hate counting your calories, this might not be for you. A lot of food is already in the system, plus most food has calories on the packaging. In California, they post the calories in restaurants. This was not so on my recent vacation to other states. So sometimes it can be a guessing game or a “that sounds close” option. If in doubt, I increase my calorie count, rather than guess low. I’m committed to being honest about my journey of losing weight.

If I am careful entering my calories, carry my phone around so that My Plate will calculate my calories burned, I can watch how I’m doing. I try to never go over my allowed calories. It’s really fun to get on the scale the day after I have left 100 calories or more available to eat. I often have lost half of a pound when I have walked a lot and have not used all my calories. However, it’s not so fun, when I go over my calories and my weight sneaks up a half of a pound.

In years past, I have signed up to places where I could exercise with others. In the late ’70s my mom, two sisters, and I did something regularly, but I can’t remember the name of the place. I also tried Curves. I actually loved Curves. It took a commitment to come, but I usually went with my sister who lived in the same city. But times must have gotten tough financially, or the owner got greedy, and they would not run the air conditioner low enough for us to continue. Yes, it’s best if you sweat a little in your workout, but this went beyond. We begged employees to make it cooler, once in a while we succeeded. Occasionally we did it ourselves when no one was looking.

And of course, I followed exercises on TV programs. I really like Denise Austin. If you are a member of AARP, you have access to quite a few of her videos and others on the AARP app. They are often for a specific body part, like your lower back or arms.

My exercise now has been walking. In the last two years, my walking has mainly comprised of grocery shopping, shopping at Costco, and walking to a neighbor’s house. I have balance problems following my surgery to have a brain tumor removed. When I walk regularly, I can fall and hurt myself. Once it gets cooler, which should be soon, I hope to give it another try. I use a Fitbit watch to keep track of my steps. Years ago, I could easily walk 10,000 steps a day. Today I try to hit 3,000, sometimes pushing it over 5,000. I would love to get back to 10,000 a day.

Besides Fitbit, I use Runs to Go to track my miles for the year. I have done this for several years now. I have yet to hit my goal of 1,000 miles. But, I will not reduce my goal, since I am determined to hit 1,000 miles in a year. I thought this would be my year until I realized the balance issue has held me back. It is the end of September and I am only at 534 miles for the year. It is unlikely I will complete 1,000 miles this year.

Noom

I kept hearing about Noom, but I knew it wasn’t free, so I have been “thinking about it” for some time. Last night I signed up for Noom. I will have two weeks free and then if I don’t cancel, I will continue on, paying for three months at a time. My price is under $100 for three months. I believe that is less than I paid to go to WW, without having to drive to a meeting.

With Noom, I went through a lot of questions so they could get to know me. I have a lot of information to read or watch on video. They give it in small pieces. I’m sure it’s to encourage smart thinking. If I want a food plan specific for me, I can pay extra. I am a picky eater, so I will not pay to have someone tell me to eat food like salmon, avocado, and kale. I can also pay for an exercise guide. That I may consider unless I sign up for a class somewhere. I need accountability.

I have a coach who will encourage me. They give me a quiz once in a while to make sure I am learning the information.

Since I started last night, I cannot claim any success yet. But I am looking forward to losing my 15 pounds this way. With Noom, a big part of your success is believing.

No matter what, do these six things:

Each morning when you get up, before you have breakfast, weigh yourself. Use the same scale and wear the same amount of clothing – I usually do it in my pajamas, after I have gone to the bathroom. There is a lot of fluctuation day to day. Always try to weigh yourself at the same time of day. I suggest you write your results each day on the calendar or a piece of paper to track your progress.
Drink water – lots of it. You may have heard eight glasses a day. If you check online, you will find all kinds of ideas. The amount of water you need each day depends on a lot of things, like the size of your body, how active you are, and how much water you get from the food you eat. I suggest you check with your doctor. Be aware you can drink too much water.
Walk as much as you can, exercise with a video, or join a class at a gym. Be sure to keep this up regularly. Once a week is better than nothing, but several times a week is even better.
Be accountable to someone. This is something I have been missing lately. This is one of my reasons for starting Zoom. If you have a friend close by, work out with him/her.
Check with your doctor before starting something new. You never know if something can be harmful to your unique body.
Eat healthy. Replace cookies with fresh fruit or carrot sticks. Make good food choices.

Have you set a weight loss goal?

As you can see, I switch around on my way to lose these last 15 pounds. My goal used to be 20 pounds, but I have been able to lose five and keep them off. My goal is by Christmas. That’s about three months away. This time I will have to work harder. But thanks to accountability, I hope I will succeed. How are you doing with losing weight? If you have a weight loss goal, put it in the comments. Letting someone know makes you accountable to everyone that sees your comment, even though none of us know you well.

Tag: exercise

How to Help Overcome Isolation and Loneliness