People Who Care Movement
Loneliness is a growing epidemic among aging adults, impacting mental and physical health. Despite being more "connected" than ever, social isolation is rampant. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified loneliness as a global health threat, with effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It triggers excess stress hormones, raising heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar while weakening the immune system.
Prolonged loneliness can lead to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. Building meaningful connections is essential for survival, not just a luxury, as social bonds are as vital as diet and exercise.
There are amazing organizations in every community that help combat loneliness. Still, I challenge us to take on this epidemic in our backyard. We can make a difference in their lives by checking in with our lonely friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Let's join the #PeopleWhoCare movement!! Launched in March 2024, it honors retired journalist Myron Kandel's late wife of 70 years. Myron spoke of her generous spirit and kindness in regularly checking in on friends. She made over 100 calls during the pandemic to check in with friends. I bet that was life-changing for a lot of people.
Here are some Tips to get your #PeopleWhoCare movement going:
Let's bring back the potluck in our neighborhoods. It's a great way to check in on possible neighbors alone and reignite friends or make new ones. We sometimes look at what we can do on a grand scale, but our backyard is a great place to start. Feeling useful and belonging to anything combats loneliness. Being invited to a potluck BBQ can make someone's day. You could even drop by before the event and offer to walk down to neighbor Bob's house with them.
You're at the party; now look around and see who needs a friend. Often, lonely people are more introverted. Take the time to sit down, engage, listen, and talk to someone who isn't getting out or seems not to be engaging with others at the party. Please don't assume they like to be alone or are not a joiner. Who doesn't like cornhole?
Find common interests, or perhaps this person has a skill you didn't know about. Ask questions. What do/did you do for a living? Where are you from? I see you take a walk every day; I love to walk. Maybe we can walk together this week and get a coffee. Then, follow up and do it.
Aging adults often feel lonely because they lack transportation, are hearing impaired, or have mobility issues. Get creative and figure out if this person needs some outside assistance that could change their lives. A small act, like offering a ride to the store, can significantly improve their lives—and enrich yours in return.
If we commit to reaching out to the lonely people in our lives, we can significantly reduce or even end loneliness one caring deed at a time. Together, we can build our own #PeopleWhoCare movement.
Jacqui Clark is a Certified Senior Advisor™ (CSA™) consultant with Living Coastal Senior Resources, editor-in-chief of Aging Well Magazine, and host of Get Ready for Better Aging podcast.