Lonely - part IV

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-social-isolation-loneliness.html

First, back to the health implications. 
As before, loneliness can be like smoking 15 cigarettes a day. AARP says, “43 percent of adults aged 60 or older in the U.S. reported feeling lonely.”  That is almost half!!  

And in the same article,

“A 2017 study showed that social isolation among older adults is associated with an estimated $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually.”  These might be for visiting nurses or other services.

Seniors ARE vulnerable in terms of loneliness even without COVID-19.  I have a friend in a senior housing complex.  She is becoming a recluse!!  The facility had shut down all social activities - no card games, no coffee hour, even their lending library is closed for the virus.  Yes, seniors can be physically vulnerable, but being in an apartment 24/7 can be almost claustrophobic. She is scared to walk the halls - as there might be somebody to cough on her.  She is on the third floor and is scared to use the elevator as a sick person may have used it and coughed on the floor buttons or held onto the handrail.  She is definitely one with more vulnerability as she is on chemotherapy for a cancer issue and has lost one of her kidneys to cancer.  

Aside, the Stadler Brothers song from 1965 is running through my head on this one.  it relates to loneliness,

“Countin' flowers on the wall

That don't bother me at all

Playin' solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one

Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo

Now don't tell me I've nothin' to do”

*****

Make a plan and connect

If you are a senior (or know of a senior) who can you reach out to?  Can you order food online if you don’t want to go out of your house or apartment?  If you do get sick, but not bad enough to be hospitalized, who are going to call?  Do you have a friend or relative close who can take off work to take care of you?

Make a list of resource
There are paid services (assuming you have funds) like Visiting Nurses (and similar groups - another friend is a caregiver for a senior, every day (with two days off), he takes care of a senior man - even to change solid underwear and bed linen.  (Aside - the care receiver is seemingly a little cantankerous!!  So, taking care of somebody who doesn’t even appreciate your work is a gift of grace, mercy, and forgiveness!!)

Are there other sources that can help?  In Georgetown there is a “Faith in Action” group that generally gives rides to seniors without cars, but in this time of isolation has a “buddy program” where a volunteer calls the vulnerable seniors as well as order and get groceries for the others.  I have two such buddies - and I email both regularly and send text messages to one (who loves to text).  Keeping in touch can help.

For my readers - do you know of seniors or others that need a call or visit?  

Take care of pets

The article says. 

“Pets can help combat loneliness, and some pets have been linked with owners’ longevity. The World Health Organization has also determined that dogs cannot get coronavirus. Still, it's always important to wash your hands after contact with your pets. And just as you need to ensure you have enough supplies for yourself and family, be stocked with food and other supplies for your pets.”

*****

My two buddies are fortunate in this case - as both have pets (one with two cats, and one with a cat and a dog).

*****

Check up on nursing homes and your families there.

Once COVID-19 enters a nursing home, it seems like it will spread quickly.  Do you have a parent or relative in a nursing home or assisted living facility?  Hopefully, it is an accredited facility with a strong staff - but not all are honest and caring.  (Money can be a problem as nursing homes and assisted living can be expensive and burn through senior’s retirement money quickly).

Finally - reach out and touch somebody

Do you know somebody from your family that might need a phone call?  How about somebody from your church or synagogue?  There are single seniors - without families - you can informally adopt one.  You can call and ask somebody at a senior facility if there might be a person that you can support at this time.

New topic tomorrow!!!

Again, reach out, be a friend, show love, grace and mercy to all people - always - and especially in this time of isolation!!!

Hugs!!

Karen