Elders experience social issues

Whether living independently or with assistance, elders often experience social issues and anxiety. Here are just a few examples of what they may be feeling:

• Loneliness from losing a spouse and friends.

• Inability to independently manage the regular activities of living.

• Difficulty coping with the physical changes of aging.

• Frustration with ongoing medical problems.

• Feeling inadequate from the inability to continue to work.

You can offer to help them handle these feelings in several ways:

• Plan a small trip with your loved one. A brief stroll to a nearby park can help them feel fresh and drive away depression and feelings of loneliness. 

• Offer them a ride to help them keep in touch with their social surroundings and foster a sense of independence.

• Tending to a pet and/or gardening can keep them busy and satisfy their urge to care and nurture. 

• Motivate them to remain occupied with hobbies and interests and encourage them to seek out an opportunity to volunteer. This will give them a sense of purpose, which in turn will make them feel important

• A counseling session can also help the elderly facing social isolation to adjust with lifestyle changes. This will better prepare them emotionally.

— Judy Appleton, Jewish Pavilion program director