Loneliness has become an epidemic across the country and much of the world. Times when extended family lived in the same home, on the same street, or even in the same town is no longer the norm. Our Aging Life Care Advisor™/Care Management team members are acutely aware of this fact as they visit and work with clients. Social isolation and loneliness impact our physical and mental health, quality of life, and often an older person’s longevity..

Our Springpoint at Home professionals can help you recognize signs of loneliness by looking for the following cues. Firstly, low energy, which often plays out as feeling tired or not being motivated to get dressed or eat. Sleep problems are another clue. Is your older adult not able to fall asleep, or are they sleeping too much? Even waking up frequently during the night can be a sign of spending too much time alone. Another indicator is diet. Is your elder gaining or losing weight, or have they lost their appetite altogether? And most concerning is feeling worthless or hopeless, which could lead to thoughts of suicide.

Identifying which factors may be causing loneliness – such as bereavement, retirement, or the loss of a network, including friends and companions – can help overcome their loneliness.

Certainly, it takes time to grieve after losing a life partner or dear friend. But waiting to discuss the issue as their network of family and friends grows smaller is not enough. Instead, encourage them to talk and take time to listen to the stories so that they can process their grief.

If feelings of self-worth have taken a hit after retirement, plans to get involved in a new hobby, charity work, or a class/seminar can help better motivate an older adult to get up in the morning.

The hardest to overcome may be the loss of friends and companionship, because this stage combines two types of loneliness: emotional (which is the absence of meaningful relationships), and social (which is a perceived deficit in the quality of social relationships).

Certainly, one possible solution for companionship lies in the work of our Certified Home Health Aides. When you know someone will be with you on certain days and times, it gives a structure to the endless time spent alone. Having someone help you prepare a meal and then visiting with you while you eat is an important social activity that goes back to our earliest days with our family.

Having someone who can help you find a class, seminar, or way to give back (and can also take you there) is something an Aging Life Care Advisor™/Care Management team member is happy to do.

The bottom line is that it’s important to know there are people in your life who will show up to help and spend time with. This is key to combating an older person’s feelings of isolation and loneliness.

To learn more about how Springpoint at Home can help and the services we offer, please call: 844-724-1777.