Search Results for: loneliness

We all know that a leisurely stroll outside can be an enjoyable way to spend your time. But it turns out if you pick up the pace to walk more briskly, you may not only experience the pleasure of the outdoors but you may also be extending the length of…

For people without friends or family, the holiday season can be especially lonely. And for seniors, the toll that loneliness takes can be catastrophic. As our older population continues to expand, including the growing group of “elder orphans,” we will have to come to grips with, and devise solutions for,…

The stereotype of life in a retirement community or long term care facility is not great- images of disability, bland food and boredom probably come to mind. And in some ways, those are accurate visions. But in many other ways, the reality is more complex and messy- just like life…

You may be familiar with the award winning public radio program, On Being. Hosted by journalist and author Krista Tippet, the show tackles some of the big questions in life. The website for On Being not only features stories from each week’s radio program but it also has essays that delve into…

Apparently, not everyone enjoys the happily-ever-after ending in their marriages. This week, the Pew Research Center reported that the incidence of divorce for Americans over 50 is climbing. Since the 1990’s, the divorce rate for those over 50 has doubled and for those over 65, it’s tripled. Much of this rise…

It’s no secret that older people can become isolated and lonely, especially as connections with relatives and friends fall away and losses of loved ones occur. Without regular social interaction, grief and depression may overwhelm a lonely senior, potentially causing serious harm. Years ago, Patrick Arbore, of the Institute on…