Keeping company: Helping older adults feel less lonely

“For some seniors, the holiday season can be fairly stressful due to loneliness and isolation,” said Camille Moreno, PSYD, a clinical psychologist at PeaceHealth Cascade Park Behavioral Health Clinic in Vancouver, Washington.

Many people national survey of people 45 and older, about 1 in 3 said they felt lonely and isolated. During the pandemic, those feelings intensified.

The AARP now describes long-term isolation and loneliness as a public health crisis for Americans in midlife and older. That’s a big concern because loneliness can lead to long-term health challenges. These may include depression, anxiety, diabetes, stomach issues, difficulty sleeping and high blood pressure.

“Social interaction is essential to our overall well-being,” Moreno said. But it’s difficult in the winter for people to get out and spend time with others. That could be due to bad weather, less daylight or the fear of getting sick or spreading illness. […]