Friendships

With mounting research, it’s becoming abundantly clear that older adults who feel lonely not only suffer deep distress at their lack of social connection, but also suffer significant physical and cognitive consequences. As families become smaller and more dispersed, people live longer, and older adults often outlive loved ones and…

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…

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…

There’s no doubt that today’s technology is a double-edged sword. It allows us to meet new people, sustain long-distance relationships, and explore new possibilities, all at our fingertips. Never before has such a breadth and depth of knowledge and opportunities been so accessible to so many. Yet at the same…

The headlines are jarring, heralding a crisis that already exists for all too many of us. Aging solo, whether you’re single, a widow or widower, divorced, without children or close relatives, or estranged from loved ones, is a tough row to hoe, especially as costs are rising, affordable and appropriate…