Holiday Tips On How Boulder Seniors Can Combat Loneliness This Holiday Season

For many, especially older adults, the holidays can be a very lonesome time of year. To better understand this phenomenon and its implications, AARP commissioned a recent survey about loneliness and social isolation among older adults.  According to AARP, “in addition to examining prevalence rates among older Americans, the study provides a descriptive profile of lonely older adults and examines the relationships between loneliness and health, health behaviors, involvement in a social network and use of technology for social communications and networking.”
 
What about those who aren't so lucky to have the positive associations with "the most wonderful time of the year?"
 
Key findings revealed:

• A little over one-third (35%) of the survey respondents were categorized as lonely.
• Older adults reported lower rates of loneliness than those who were
• younger (43% of those age 45-49 were lonely compared to 25% of those
• 70+).
• Married respondents were less likely to be lonely (29%) compared
• to never-married respondents (51%), and those with higher incomes were
• less likely to be lonely than those with lower incomes.
• Lonely respondents were less likely to be involved in activities
• that build social networks, such as attending religious services,
• volunteering, participating in a community organization or spending time
• on a hobby.
• Almost half (45%) of those who had lived in their current residence for less than 1 year reported feeling lonely.
• Loneliness was a significant predictor of poor health. Those who

 
If you are or if someone you know is battling a case of the "loneliness" this holiday season, make a conscious effort to pay them a visit or do something nice for them. Or, if you're separated by distance, consider BrightStar Care.  We help with everything from peer-level companionship to assistance with holiday tasks like decorating, meal preparation, transportation to appointments and gatherings, and more. Click here to learn more.
 
Click Here To Learn More About Combating Loneliness this December
Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/hire-an-elf?utm_campaign=hire-an-elf&utm_source=Blog
 
BrightStar Care of Boulder provides a full continuum of home care services comprised of companionship, personal care, dementia care, transportation, medication assistance, skilled nursing and more to improve clients’ health and quality of life.  

To learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Boulder, CO families and businesses - CLICK HERE