We all need someone to lean on. Our lives are built on relationships and its quality thrives on social connections.
Having said that, it’s not easy to maintain relationships or connections throughout life and one has to face isolation sometimes no matter how much social network one has.
Some might argue that you don’t need people around you always to be happy. We could not agree more! But that life is not isolation, it’s solitude.
Isolation and Solitude: The Difference is Night and Day
Choosing and living in solitude is a virtue but isolation is equivalent to being forced into the bottomless pit of sadness.
Solitude: Living in solitude is a way of life and many believe it’s the best way to attain fulfillment or contentment in life.
Isolation: In isolation, one wants to be with people and live amid healthy social connections, but they are living alone.
If you are in solitude, you can safely skip reading this blog. But if you are in isolation or trying to maintain a balance between isolation and solitude, continue reading.
Isolation – A Feeling that Feeds on Your Thoughts
Isolation is harmful and, in some cases, it can lead to serious mental illness and depression. The more you think about it, the deep its roots grow inside your mind.
Overthinking, anxiety, stress, lack of control over emotions, negative feelings, and anger issues are commonly observed in people who are living in isolation.
Loneliness – Knocking Your Door at Every Phase of Life
Children to seniors — isolation or loneliness can occur at any stage of life. The causes can be different but the way it makes one feel is the same.
Be it a child in a new school who is trying but finding it hard to fit in or a senior who just got retired and started living alone for various reasons, isolation can be ruthless on many.
It is a complicated feeling to go through. Dealing with the feeling of rejection, abandonment, exclusion, and desertion is something you would want your loved ones to go through.
Unfortunately, seniors became the constant receivers of these feelings which are planting and nurturing negative thoughts.
Children living in a different city or country, loss of a loved one, lack of companionship, strained relationships — the reasons can be many. Do they have to live like that or is there is a solution?
You bet there is. Before we get into the best tips to avoid isolation in seniors, let’s have a look at the terms of isolation and solitude.
If you are someone or observing a loved one who is going through this tough phase, you should act now and act right.
Isolation in Seniors – Way Caregivers Can Help
Caregivers share a special connection with the senior. With a little bit of commitment and constant effort, caregivers can help seniors come out of their shell of loneliness.
1.Find the Root Cause:
- Conduct a thorough self-analysis to find the root cause behind your loneliness. Why are you living alone? Is it because of you or others?
- If you could find an answer, the solution for your loneliness is already in your hands.
- If it, is you, accept and work on the way you value relationships. If it is the other, forgive and give another chance to forge a stronger relationship.
2.Companionship is the Only Solution:
- No matter how hard you can hold on to living alone, the moment you started feeling loneliness should be the very moment you should make decisions.
- Living with the feeling of loneliness inside your heart mind are the worst.
- Be it a pet or a friend — companionship is the only way to get over your loneliness plight.
3.Reconnect and Re-engage:
- Think of the best moments you held a conversation and made everyone laugh. No, you never did that? That’s a lie. All seniors are once cherished, and people loved to be around them.
- Think of the moments like these and try to reconnect with your old friends. Getting in touch with an old pal and rekindling the friendship couldn’t be sweeter!
4.Talk to a Trusted One:
- While continuing to build new connections and work on old relationships, talk to a trusted one about what you are going through.
- Never suppress those moments that are hard. Let your words be the disconnecting tools from those negative feelings.
- Always remember! Man or woman, young or old, never be ashamed of talking about your feelings. In fact, it is a sign of a strong character.
Isolation is the major reason behind depression in seniors besides many other mental health issues and it should not be ignored.
Try taking help from the home care service providers like Athulya Home healthcare to offer quality geriatric counseling sessions for seniors at home.
