Are you lonesome tonight?
If you are, you're in good company. Not so long ago, studies showed about a third of older adults said they felt lonely. And that was before the pandemic. A recent Ipsos poll conducted for Global News found 47 per cent of people 55 and over felt lonely because of physical and social distancing necessitated by the spread of COVID.
But what is loneliness? It's a feeling of distress, not just because you are alone but because there is a sense that your relationships are less satisfying than you'd like them to be. Since it's a state of mind, you can still feel alone with others. You may feel empty and unwanted. This makes it hard to reach out to make connections with people.
There are many risk factors for loneliness, one of which is living alone. In Nova Scotia, at least a quarter of older adults live alone due to separation or divorce, never having lived with someone or been married, or because of the loss of their partner. Many of our activities have altered or shut down since COVID, making connecting with others more challenging.
A 2020 article from the College of Family Physicians Canada, concludes that loneliness can affect our health in a way that compares to smoking or obesity, so we shouldn't ignore it in ourselves or others.
One senior I interviewed suffered a series of losses — her partner, a child and her dog in quick succession — leaving her overwhelmed with grief and loneliness. She eventually adopted a credo that had her make one social contact a day and do one physical activity. At first, it might have been as simple as speaking to a clerk in the grocery store or saying hello to a neighbour. In time, she was able to overcome social isolation and expand her connections in the community.
Another older adult spoke about leaving a light and the TV on, as well as having distractions and hobbies. She stressed building "a golden circle of support — those you can rely on".
While it might be harder to connect during COVID, there are still many local resources that can help. 211 is a free and confidential service that provides 24/7 information and referrals.
The new Flourish 55+ Centre on 678 Lahave Street in Bridgewater is a great place to connect with others in small groups or to volunteer. Call 902-527-7697 or email chrisandrews@flourishcentre. ca. The South Shore Hospice and Palliative Care Society at 902-688-2958 offers grief support and programs. Community Links at 1-855-2539355 can help connect you to resources for aging well. A Warm Line provided by Shelburne County Mental Health and Wellness Association at 1-833-927-6546 provides emotional support.
What can you do? I plan on calling old friends and newer ones who might just need a warm connection. Just 15 minutes of your time can make all the difference. Reach out.
Joan Parks is a retired social worker and member of the Lunenburg Aging Well Together Coalition. Aging Well Corner is brought to you by Community Links. Community Links is a provincewide organization that promotes and supports the development of age-friendly, inclusive communities by connecting individuals and organizations. Our vision is that all Nova Scotians can age well in their communities.
Aging Well Coalitions meet regularly to address issues of healthy aging and develop projects that enhance life for older adults in the region.
For more information, visit nscommunitylinks.ca.