By Karen Guice | Webster Parish Council on Aging
Karen’s Korner,
Fall is just around the corner, I hope. We definitely need some cooler weather for sure. Rain would also be welcomed. But this time of the year is hard on our seniors. If you know someone who is a senior adult, maybe 70 and above, and they live alone, it would be great if you would check on them every few days just to see how they are doing.
A telephone call, a visit or a card in the mail could be very helpful. It not only helps to check on their physical condition, but staying in communication with them helps them mentally and socially to adjust to those times of loneliness or emotional trauma.
Being alone ≠ being lonely.
“Loneliness is an emotional experience; solitude is simply time spent with yourself.” (Psychology Today)
Solitude is a choice; loneliness is something far different.
While we are all different, not everyone likes to be in a crowd, while others would never choose to be alone, if they had the choice.
I guess we just need to be mindful of others when the seasons change like they do here in the South. The upcoming Fall and Winter months lead us to stay inside more than we would in the Spring or the Summer.
If you have senior friends, just keep a check on them from time to time. It’s the right thing to do.
Have a great week.