Loneliness is a chronic condition, but it can be cured
Loneliness affects all age, economic and social groups. More than one third of adults are chronically lonely and 65% are seriously lonely some of the time. Maybe the worst age for loneliness and general alienation are our grand children in the 18 - 24 age group (maybe you remember yourself at that age!). One of the most serious outcomes of loneliness is suicide. And given the ready availability of loaded guns in our society, the most common agent of suicide, most suicide attempts are 'successful.' Sucide rates among middle class white men are the highest in the nation, and on average 20 military veterans kill themselves each day.
Us old folks tend to experience isolation and loneliness as a result of factors such as decreased mobility (are you still driving? Should you continue to drive? Are you hobbling about with a Walker or cane? Or worse: are you stuck in bed?). Hearing loss can be a significant isolating factor. And so on. Stuck at home we can fret and fester - - and become seriously depressed.
What is really important when you or somebody close to you, or even not so close but who you know about, is CONNECTING. Interacting with other people through shopping trips, outings of various sorts, shared meals. And so on.
I suppose that if you are reading this you know that in our area GHSS IS the connector. Each month, all year long, Greater Hillsborough Senior Services organizes arts to bring seniors together, bring seniors out of isolation.
You can see all that GHSS is doing by reading the monthly news letter, SENIORS ALIVE! which is available here and at various other outlets in the area (e.g. Deering Town Ha..).
GHSS is a very important element in the health of our area!
