Posted on 02/28/2020 7:48:43 AM PST by yesthatjallen
There are certain issues that you’d expect to be top-of-mind for older Americans, whether it be Social Security, Medicare, or scams that target seniors. But as I traveled through my district this year and held workshops for seniors across Maryland, there was one topic that I was surprised came up again and again: loneliness.
The crisis of social isolation and loneliness currently affects almost half of our population, and seniors are front and center.
In 2018, a national poll revealed that nearly half of all Americans suffer from social isolation and chronic loneliness. That’s almost 164 million people – across all age groups and populations - suffering from an illness that is more deadly than smoking 15 cigarettes a day and costs the Medicare program alone over $6 billion per year.
Social isolation, defined as when a person lacks opportunity to develop social connections, and loneliness, defined as the feeling of being alone, both represent growing health concerns in the U.S. socially isolated or lonely person has an increased likelihood of negative health outcomes including much higher risks of major chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as severe mental health conditions such as anxiety, dementia and depression.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
The Number One reason for Social Isolation and Loneliness is Divorce.
Divorce has fractured the American Family and America itself. Lost and lonely Boomers are entering retirement estranged from their partners and families.
Anybody out there
It’s not an illness. Don’t try to solve it by assigning “home health aides.” We already have that. Some of them are nice, kind people, and others are in it only for the money, and what they can steal. (Yes.)
The elderly don’t want pretend friends. They want to spend time with family. Capeesh? Government policies make it difficult, and encourage family to put the old folks in a “home.” (It’s the furthest thing from a “home.”)
Please, government officials, keep your hands off a problem that you have created. You’ll only make it worse.
On reflection,
I isolate myself intentionally as I grow older, and that is not uncommon.
1) all the scams
2) not enough like minded people, too many libs
3) can’t multitask any more so limit activities.
4) too many clouds to yell at........................
Go to church.
What a crock! How about this ‘bipartisan’ group of busy-buddys leave us the hell alone and stop spending our money on BS like this!
Legalize ecstasy in old folks homes.
I was just counting my blessings this week as my daughter visited with my 8 month old grandson. A few hours later my wife of 35 years was home and we talked all about it.
My question as well.
I agree we need to keep the government out. This impacts me directly. My mom is experiencing dementia. She’s still able to live with my dad (they’re in assisted living), but she sleeps most of the time, and when she’s awake, she doesn’t want to socialize. My dad repeatedly talks about feeling isolated and lonely. I’ve gotten him to go to caregiver support group meetings and to take small excursions outside their apartment when she’s sleeping. It’s a process. He feels guilty for leaving her and worries she’ll wake up and panic. But, he also needs the break. I try to visit at least every other day, so he gets some interaction.
“The crisis of social isolation and loneliness currently affects almost half of our population, and seniors are front and center. “
How can people not cherish the solitude?
Perhaps this is the weaker half of the population.
It’s a very real problem that EMS encounters every day — elderly patients who are alone, often over-medicated or medically non-compliant. Their children have abandoned them because they no longer meet their “convenience or need” standards. They are often very sick, depressed and routinely suicidal.
They’re easy to spot because the walls of their homes are adorned with pictorial shrines of years long past, with no current or recent additions. It’s best illustrated by this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4a-_2kybWI
You are doing well for both of your parents as they are aging. Thank you for all you do.
Many families will deal with such issues at some point. The best any of us can do, is provide the best quality of life we can for our loved ones.
“What if you socially isolate and enjoy it?”
Exactly. not only enjoy solitude, I luxuriate in it. Give me a book, my music, a recliner, access to a laptop and a phone and I am perfectly happy.
About three months ago, through a long series of mishaps, we ended up with two rescue chihuahuas that didn't know each other but fell in love like brothers. These dogs took to my husband like white on rice. They are his shadow. They nap together, they eat together, they sit on his lap at all times that they are not playing. which they do a lot.
The doctor couldn't have ordered better medicine. We watch them play all day. Husband takes them out several times a day which gives husband lots of activity. I'm happy because husband's happy. I highly recommend dog therapy for loneliness and isolationism.
Some people just happen to enjoy their own company...it’s that simple really...they have their interests and have learned to be quite content with a limited amount of outside interaction.
What theyre not mentioning is the number of people who are alone because they never had children. I can count among my friends about 50% who will have no one outside of their spouse and siblings when they/re in their 70’s plus. I joked the other day to my own parents, now they understand why they had children... as I help them with many things (they’re in their mid to late 80’s)
But I worry about my friends in their 50’s and early 60’s who will have no one. Who will make decisions for them at the end of their lives? The nursing home ? We are entering strange times.
I went through it after an injury that left me home bound for most of 5 years.
Trust me almost everybody stops visiting after the first year.
I understand. Life goes on.
it can be incredibly brutal on a person.
My little cat buddy and FR got me through.
Now I just stay alone because I don’t like people that much :)
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