Loneliness during the holidays

Many people, including older adults, suffer from depression and loneliness during the holidays. Widows and those living along are more likely to suffer from loneliness. Feelings of stress and depression can worsen other physical and mental health issues. At Stadium Place, participants in the Neighbor Helping Neighbor program are working together to ward off loneliness. They make daily calls to each other and provide assistance with meals and transportation.

A Science Daily article reported on the health risks of loneliness. “Although not having many close friends contributes to poorer health for many older adults, those who also feel lonely face even greater health risks, research at the University of Chicago suggests. Older people who are able to adjust to being alone don't have the same health problems.”

A recent blog by Melanie Haiken at Caring.Com noted research of how loneliness could be contagious.

A few other interesting observations: • Women are more likely than men to report
a greater degree of loneliness. And women’s loneliness is more likely to spread
through their social networks.• Peoples’ chances of becoming lonely were more
likely to be influenced by what happened among friendships than among family
relationships.• Loneliness feeds on itself; people tend to push lonely people
away, probably out of discomfort and fear.

Helping lonely people recognize that that's what they're feeling is an important first step; naming the feeling as loneliness keeps us from behaving like grumps and driving others away.

Please remember to call or visit your friends and neighbors during the next few weeks, especially older adults who may live alone.