A new report from the AARP Foundation finds that social isolation among seniors has reached epidemic levels during COVID-19. The pandemic has caused a lot of people to confront something that they may not have had to deal with before: Loneliness. If you want to share your story or have us address a specific topic, please send an email to yourstories@kfmb.com and add Going It Alone in the subject line. RELATED: Families push for 'hugging booth' to help with seniors coronavirus social isolation. "They may have retired from the workforce, they may have had a spouse pass away, they may have had health issues that restrict their physical mobility, they can have issues around hearing or vision," said Renda. “I understand the science and I completely accept and endorse everything Dr. Fauci and other experts at the CDC say about how to protect ourselves, but while my brain is on board, my heart is not,” Johnston told TODAY. There's nothing shameful in this year's holiday … Perhaps you could chat with someone who is also spending the holidays alone. Call the National Senior Planet Hotline: 920-666-1959 Open from 9am – 5pm EDT, Monday – Friday. Unfortunately for many seniors, the holidays can also be an isolating and lonely time. Learn how to store documents, images, and other files … Get Started . Now that we have social distancing, quarantine and lockdowns and all these things, it’s up to one in three," said Andrew Renda. Last. We are not exactly the model customers … Social Worker's Name * First. Going it alone: Seniors isolated during the holidays. A new report from the AARP Foundation finds that social isolation among seniors has reached epidemic levels during COVID-19. Alone for the holiday? Upcoming Events. I am able to adjust my schedule (heck, I am the chief cook and bottle washer among a thousand other jobs) so that I have Brunch with Mom nearly every Sunday. #12 Count Your Blessings. Adults ages 65 and older are at highest risk of dying from COVID-19, and among those most likely to feel alone and socially isolated amid the pandemic. I have so much family, and I am so very grateful for them and for our health — but to not be with any of them is so painful.”, Johnston isn’t one to nurse self-pity and is actively seeking ways to feel better, but so far all the purportedly helpful articles she’s seen on the subject offer little advice for seniors who live on their own. SeniorCare.com Senior Guides - we have created over 8000 local senior guides that offer healthcare quality ratings, senior housing options and other resources for aging Americans. 10 Tips for Helping a Senior Deal With Holiday Loneliness. As we close out 2020 and enter into the holiday season, many people are isolated from family and friends because of COVID-19. The U.S. Census estimates that as many as 28% of adults aged 65+ lived alone in 2010, but a person doesn’t have to live alone to feel lonely. So they know they are not forgotten. Well, it’s that time of year again. Council to vote on San Diego short-term vacation rental ordinance, Warmer than usual temps stick around Tuesday, Actress Shailene Woodley confirms engagement to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Additional lawsuits targeted for Southern California in an effort to resume youth sports, Third stimulus check update: House Budget committee advances COVID-19 relief bill, Families push for 'hugging booth' to help with seniors coronavirus social isolation, Going It Alone: Here are mental health services available for those struggling. Sarah Joakim and her daughter visit her 91-year-old father at a long term care facility in Maine. The 6 bestsellers everyone was shopping this month — all under $50. ALONE FOR THE HOLIDAYS MISSING MOM. Aging Alone: Holidays can be tough for seniors alone. For example, the AARP has resources to help prevent and combat isolation, and help manage your health and emotional health around the holidays. “Also, with being in a vulnerable population, elderly people can be so fearful of getting sick that they can take it a little too far. “I’m reading that I should play a board game. Decide in advance what you’ll eat, who you’d like to talk to (or video chat with) and what kinds of activities you’ll do in your downtime, so you don't get stuck with nothing to do. 1. Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/TODAY illustration / Getty Images, How to celebrate the holidays safely this year: ‘Keep it simple’, Should you create a COVID-19 'winter bubble'? Renda is the Associate Vice President of Population Health at Humana. A willing attitude can make a big difference, but there are also some other strategies mental health experts recommend to get through the season. Sometimes the trouble can come after the holidays when elderly loved ones may experience loneliness or post-holiday sadness. The holidays can be a lonely time, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel alone. You may also want to consider looking into what kind of services are offered to the seniors in your community. In New York City, the Department for the Aging recently launched its Friendly VOICES initiative, which is designed to give older adults opportunities to connect with others on a weekly basis through phone and video calls. Gavin said now more than ever, seniors need support. We will explore the impact of isolation on mental health in our series Going It Alone. the Holidays with Home Care Help . The loneliness I feel is actually unbearable. One way people cope is to just ‘get through the day.’ That’s not the optimal solution.”. Just as I used to plan for holidays in the past — all those lists I used to make! To say … Author: 11alive.com Home (Alone) for the Holidays. But this is a surefire way to sink into loneliness. Home About Contact Packages Apply … Seniors' advocacy organizations are reminding people to take time out of their busy holiday schedules to visit seniors in their homes. I have always loved the holidays — the cooking, baking, decorating, shopping, and wrapping that went along with each one of them. The pandemic, she said, has been difficult for them. Use technology Don't forget to check in on older relatives, friends, and neighbors these next few weeks. "You think of these families trying to see loved ones through glass or seeing them from a distance, it's heartbreaking," said Joe Gavin of the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation. We are not exactly the model customers for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Share this page. Britt Kennerly. Delivering meals to seniors or hampers to families in need. It’s the time of year for good food, and good friends and family—at least for most of us. One tip suggests taking seniors for a drive to see Christmas lights. And if you find yourself stymied by anxiety or despair, seek help from family, friends, support groups or mental health professionals. In a survey by AARP and the United Health Foundation, more than half of adults 50 and older reported feeling socially isolated during the pandemic. View all events . This is important because it reminds him that those connections are still here, they’ve just been displaced.”. It’s a great way to get them out of the house for a bit and is the perfect outing for those with mobility issues. Most people will be happy and pleased and share dinners and conversation and gifts, but I will not. Some states are also running campaigns to provide additional support to the elderly this holiday season. Think ahead about a TV show or movie you want to watch, have a good book on hand, write a letter, look at old family photos, cue up some music or try meditating for the first time. Many people are spending the holiday alone this year due to the pandemic. My husband and I are both in a high risk category when it comes to the pandemic. If the senior gets around reasonably well, take him or her to the food court at the mall to sit and view the bustle of shoppers and the beautiful decorations. If you're feeling sad, angry, anxious or all of the above and more, the first and most important step you must take is accepting these emotions. — I realized it is just as important, if not more important, to make a plan for being alone, and not just let the holiday ambush me. No one to share a laugh with at the breakfast table or over a TV show. For many seniors, the holidays are not a time of celebration and joy, but only serve as reminders of how lonely he or she may be, the friends that have passed on, the lack of family get-togethers and an inability to participate in such events. But it doesn’t have to mean traveling alone. If you and your family (or friends) are up for a virtual visit, you could try doing an activity together, whether it’s a game, a craft project or a meal. Her family understands they must remain apart during the holidays for her dad's safety. They also talk about their connections to other people. A new report from the AARP Foundation finds that social isolation among seniors has reached epidemic levels during COVID-19. For example, Together Apart: Holidays at Heart in Florida, offers a statewide elder helpline, grocery assistance and other services to seniors. Introducing our new national campaign to bring one million older adults online. Facility Name * Seniors Name, Facility Address, Bed Number (if applicable) * Submit. Join like-minded travelers on our solo small group tours. “She misses her grandkids and she gets really sad, but when she feels like she can’t go on another day in isolation, she writes out ideas for her business. Experts weigh in, Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing, How to make the most of your holiday staycation, Going stir-crazy during self-quarantine? “The holidays tend to emphasize family, community traditions, and togetherness, so spending them alone can bring up feelings of loneliness, sadness, longing, and anxiety,” Jaclyn Lopez Witmer, a licensed clinical psychologist at Therapy Group of NYC, explains to Apartment Therapy, adding that Thanksgiving and other holidays might be especially difficult for those … It's easy to despair over the possibility of being alone. By: Dotty Murphy. If you are a private one-on-one caregiver, you can help alleviate the senior’s isolation by taking him or her for a ride to view holiday lights and decorations or to tour the fall foliage. This holiday, just like the last one will be without, Mother. Sadly, families across the country, and right here in San Diego, know the pain her family is going through because they're going through it too. For senior citizens living alone, cooking a delicious holiday meal can be daunting. God, I miss her. They hide their desire for connection so they don’t have to inconvenience anyone. Let go of your assumptions about holidays and any stigma around being alone. I live alone at the moment. The holidays can be hard on caregivers, too. Whatever your reason for not going home, it’s important to remember that holidays spent on your own can be emotionally trying. They celebrated his birthday this way. Whether it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day, I was Miss Cornball with the … The holiday season is no time to feel alone. They may no longer have the physical ability to grocery shop and cook, or it might be that the idea of throwing a 10-pound turkey in the oven seems like too much for one person. Stay focused on acknowledging and meeting your needs, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly the holidays … Okay, feel a little sorry for me. Solo adventures for 60+ year olds. She just hopes it doesn't take too great of a toll on his mental well being. Read more . My husband and I are both in a high risk category when it comes to the pandemic. View Comments. Make things easy for them by inviting them to your Thanksgiving meal through a virtual video call and let them know that … So for instance, he might share about how his granddaughter is learning the piano and other things that remind him of his connections. Share your experience with other adventure-lovers and enjoy the benefits of traveling in a group. Isolation and loneliness, too, can pose serious health problems for seniors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The holiday season can be difficult for seniors as it is, but even more so now during these extraordinary times," he said. The Holidays,” conjure up images of happy families gathered, sharing a bountiful meal and much merriment. It may also reveal why … The holidays mean time off from work to spend quality time with our loved ones, give and receive gifts and attend parties with friends and family. Alone for the Holidays Holidays spell loneliness for some. His organization is working on using technology to bring seniors and their families together. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. What if I go outside and get COVID?’ That made sense back in March and April when we knew so little about COVID, but we know now that you cannot get it by merely taking a walk (if you take the recommended precautions), but often people are still scared to go outside.”. Our … Shari Botwin, a licensed clinical social worker in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and author of “Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing,” treats many patients over the age of 70. With the pandemic limiting travel and gatherings, many are in the same boat. “Telling them exactly what you’d love to do together, or how often you’d hope to talk or check in, demonstrates you believe in your loved ones’ ability to say yes or no, and own their own decisions,” said Dean. Make a point of actively listening when your loved one wants to talk, even if the discussion is negative. One of Botwin’s clients who has been struggling with loneliness is feeling less alone since making a point of talking with others in isolation. Add to that all the … The holiday season is generally thought of as a time of joy and love, but for many people, it’s a time of loneliness.Some people live far from family and miss seeing their loved ones this time of year; others dread going to holiday parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations and end up staying home. Botwin suggests turning to the news with questions in mind and once those questions are answered, turning it off. For example, Together Apart: Holidays at Heart in Florida, offers a statewide elder helpline, grocery assistance and other services to seniors. “At least once a day he has a conversation with someone, whether just on the phone or using FaceTime,” said Botwin. “There’s lots of ‘how to cope without seeing Grandma this year,’ but what about Grandma?” Johnston said. Simplify your expectations. FLORIDA TODAY. It’s a fair question and one that calls attention to the fact that while socially isolating during a pandemic is tough for everyone, it is perhaps toughest on older people who live alone. You may also want to consider looking into what kind of services are offered to the seniors in your community. In a survey by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the United Health Foundation released this fall, more than half of adults 50 and older reported feeling socially isolated during the pandemic. Holiday time. Make good use of your holidays alone by making sure others don’t feel alone too. Seniors alone during the holidays need a little help With COVID-19 continuing its spread and many seniors alone at home, brightening their holiday season is a priority. OK, great, but who do I play with?”. These older adults may have up to a 29% increased risk of heart disease and up to a 32% increased risk of stroke. * Indicates required field. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. No hello hugs. An honest and empathetic conversation can help them process what is bothering them, whether they are mourning a loss or coming to terms with new challenges in their life. Christmas Cheer Amid COVID. Mental health experts weigh in with tips for seniors who are celebrating solo and how to keep feelings of loneliness at bay. IE 11 is not supported. Your life may not … he said. As this article notes, the fun and excitement that come with the holidays may actually help to buoy your loved one’s spirits. He said seniors often face more challenges. Free Fri February 19 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm EST . However, the intangible gifts can mean more to your senior than another gadget or pair of slippers. A new report from the AARP Foundation finds that social isolation among seniors has reached epidemic levels during COVID-19. Friendship Line #California is a 100% free resource for aging adults in need and thanks to a new partnership with @CalAging we can reach all older Californians. Going it alone: Seniors isolated during the holidays. It is a time to appreciate the people in our lives. We’d also like to hear from you if you're Going It Alone this holiday season. Don’t Let the Holidays Creep Up on You: Plan for Them. It’s all about spending time together, feeling included, and enjoying the good company – even if it’s done virtually this year. / December / 01 / home ( alone ) for the holidays Creep up on you: plan for in. Ones may experience loneliness or post-holiday sadness the coronavirus situation, but I will not their..., ” conjure up images of happy families gathered, sharing a bountiful meal and much merriment health at.! Holiday alone this holiday season is no time to appreciate the people we love are typically top-priority! 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