Canine Company: Why You May Want A Dog in 2024
January 3, 2024
It’s no secret that among older adults, loneliness and dementia are ongoing and growing problems. Add to that the rise in older adults living alone and you have the makings of a real public health crisis as our population continues to get older. While there are all sorts of scientific…
Proximity and Purpose: How To Foster Intergenerational Friendships
November 29, 2023
Though it’s not uncommon for older adults to live their later years in age-segregated communities, either by choice or by necessity, there’s also something to be said about mixing it up with younger people. In fact, the concept of an intergenerational friendship- that is, having a friend who is at…
Alone And Lonely: Responding To This Very Common Predicament
November 8, 2023
Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely? At this point, so many older adults are alone, vulnerable to the health consequences that are more likely as a solo ager and without the supports that typically allow an older adult to remain active and engaged. But does being…
Aging Solo: Planning For Aging On Your Own
October 26, 2023
A recent national survey of older adults living alone, conducted by AARP, found both good and not-so-good news when it comes to seniors aging “solo.” About 10% of the US population over age 50 are “solo agers” and for women over age 75, that number jumps to 42%. It’s a…
Epidemic Proportions: Have You Been Swept Up In The Loneliness Epidemic?
August 9, 2023
This past April, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy created quite a stir when he declared that our country suffers from an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. He issued a 70+ page advisory report on the importance of social connection for the health and well-being of our country. Murthy, the author…
Tending And Mending: Figuring Out Friendships In Your Later Years
August 2, 2023
It’s no secret that friendships– perhaps even more than romantic or family relationships- are critical for keeping yourself healthy, both physically and mentally, as you move on into your later years. But as we’ve also previously said, friendships typically just don’t happen- they require effort, intention, and even active pursuit…