Isolation / Loneliness

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…

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…

It may be the season to be jolly and festive, but for many, especially older adults, the holiday season can be a time of challenge and dismay, bringing up past sorrows and missed loved ones or underscoring a sense of loneliness, even “invisibility.” In fact, many may question not only…

We’ve spent countless posts detailing the negative health consequences that stem from loneliness, as well as the value of social connections for healthier aging. Both loneliness and social isolation are serious international problems, with a recent World Health Organization report proclaiming that one in six people worldwide (both young and…