Seniors and Loneliness

Loneliness can be a problem for many seniors. A new study has shown that loneliness may put people at risk for an Alzheimer's-like dementia. "People who describe themselves as lonely were twice as likely to develop dementia" says Robert Wilson a researcher for Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Studies have shown that feelings of disconnection from others makes us at risk of dementia later in life. The symptoms most noticeable are memory loss and confusion, two key signs of dementia and Alzheimer's. Lonely seniors are also at risk for other health problems like cancer and high blood pressure.

One theory for the increase in these health problems is that long periods of loneliness in seniors may cause higher levels of damaging stress hormones and these elevated stress hormones may lead to accelerated aging of the brain and, possibly to dementia.

Studies also show that signing up for a new class or activity may protect aging brain cells. Seniors who are out more in the community are more likely to make new friends and become less lonely.

Everyone is lonely at times but there are many ways to meet new people, gain a few new friends and start doing more activities to help reduce loneliness. Loneliness does not have to be permanent. Here are a few suggestions:

Use the Internet to Reduce Loneliness

Diminish distances and lessen feelings of loneliness between family and friends by one-on-one email, instant messaging and on-line phone calls with webcams, pictures, short video movies and live images.

Internet chat rooms and social networking sites are good ways to find new friends with common interests .Even senior dating sites may be of interest.

Senior blogs, listservs and newsgroups may be good sources for interesting conversations with groups with like interests.

Internet game sites offer the opportunity for social contact and interaction. There are special websites for games like poker, hearts and bridge. These sites offer the common chit-chat that occurs when people sit around a table playing card games. Other sites for board games like Scrabble are also available and there are people from all over the world that you can play with. There are games for all age groups--seniors included.

Online seminars from colleges, museums and libraries are available. Travel tours, sculpture classes, poetry discussions, history courses and many other things are all available and 'classroom' interaction with other students is also possible.

Work From Home:

Many seniors find that working from home can help reduce feelings of loneliness. A variety of work at home opportunities are available on-line. Writing for a site like Associated Content may be of interest to seniors who like to write. There are opportunities for social interaction on these sites by participation in forums, reading blogs and emailing other contributors.

Volunteering:

Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people. Non-profit organizations welcome volunteers for many jobs. Schools and hospitals and care facilities also have many opportunities for volunteers. Some volunteer work is available to be done at home like telephone work (not necessarily seeking donations) and phone calls to keep in touch with latch-key children or shut-in's. Also, coordinating food drives, mentoring and other phone-intensive activities.

Invite People to Your Home:

Inviting people into your home is another way of reducing loneliness. Maybe a school child needing some place to go after school could come to you for help with homework or a conversation or cookies and milk.

You could offer a small class once a week teaching a skill or hobby. Your home could become a meeting place for book clubs, planning committees etc. Others could brings refreshments so the burden isn't yours and you could just enjoy the company and interaction..

　

If you are suffering from loneliness, figuring out how to explore new opportunities is an interesting and engaging activity in itself. Check with libraries, local government agencies, schools, hospitals, senior centers and churches for resources and other opportunities. Implementing just one of these suggestions will help you to a better quality of life.

　

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