Elder Orphans, a Growing Trend?
As our aging population grows, we are seeing more and more older adults living alone in their later years. The term Elder Orphan refers to that life situation that many older adults find themselves in. Roughly 15 million older adults, about 27% of our population over the age of 65, are alone as they age. Many of these older adults are living at home alone and at great risk.
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.
-Mother Teresa
We have all heard the importance of having friends and family in our lives. There is a lot of research that shows being isolated is bad for our mental and physical health, no matter what our age. As we get older, it becomes hard for us to get places, maintain relationships and build new ones. Our vision and hearing become impaired and for some older adults, their memory makes it harder to maintain relationships.
In extreme cases, when an older adult without family or friends becomes ill or unable to live safely at home, Adult Protective Services can help. They will be assigned a case worker, and in some cases, need a guardian to be assigned through the courts. Most older adults do not need this much assistance, but in order to maintain a good quality of life when they live alone, they need a community of people to help them. Here are some ways you can help an older adult that is isolated:
Address any medical issues that may impede socialization. Hearing, vision and incontinence issues are some of the most common medical roadblocks to isolation.
Help coordinate transportation. There are agencies within your local county that offer free or inexpensive transportation to most older adults.
Reach out to their faith community if they have one. Most faith- based communities have volunteers that will visit their participants or pick them up for services.
Research local senior centers. They have a wide range of classes and services as well as transportation.
Helping an older adult that is isolated can be as easy as visiting routinely. Bringing a pet or children to visit can help make visits more fun and meaningful too. Sharing a meal is also an easy way to visit with someone. Becoming friends with an older adult that is isolated can be their saving grace, and it will likely be a wonderful experience for you too!
