Companionship

If you were to buy into our youth-oriented culture, you might think there’s nothing to be happy about as you get older. Whether it’s your physical decline, the loss of friends or loved ones, or the finite number of days ahead of you, the prevailing ethos seems to suggest there’s…

Almost everyone has had the experience of losing a friend as they’ve gotten older. Whether due to death, disease, moving, or just a lost relationship, friendships often fade away as we get on in years. And while we know that social engagement and social connections are critical for maintaining our…

The novelist Thomas Wolfe once wrote, “Loneliness is and always has been the central and inevitable experience of every man.” While that may be true, and many, if not most of us, experience loneliness at some point in our lives, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy experience or one without…

If you know, you know. That is, if you’re a pet owner (dog, cat, or other), having a pet in your life is usually a non-negotiable, deeply pleasurable experience (while not denying the responsibilities of pet ownership). The dilemma is, for those of us getting on in years, owning and…

For many, the approach of Valentine’s Day does not necessarily include a romantic interlude with your honey, but rather an opportunity to express your love and affection for your “Galentine,” that is, a moment dedicated to expressions of love and gratitude for deep friendships. As Euripides once said, “One loyal…

It’s no surprise to learn that hearing loss affects many- if not most- as we get older. According to a recent article in the Annual Review of Public Health, the number of older adults who experience hearing loss, and the severity of that loss, can increase dramatically the older you…