Social isolation can feel very real at the holidays for Central New York seniors with each passing year. Large holiday gatherings are not always the norm as people age. Kara Gemmel serves as Loretto’s Director of Independent Living at the Nottingham Retirement Community. She explains there are different strategies that will help seniors who are living on their own. Gemmel suggests making time to remember cherished holiday memories.
"Many of us have annual traditions that we use to mark this time of year, and although they may look different, it's important to lean in to sharing those memories and reminiscing, acknowledging how they are different now," Gemmel said. "But the very positive memories that you have from the past as well as creating a new tradition that works for your loved one at this phase of their life.”
Gemmel says families may want to utilize digital technology and devices for virtual interaction when families can’t be together.
“Really making sure communication is a priority, whether it's frequent phone calls or making sure holiday cards are still sent, whether it's to your loved one or with them, if that's an important tradition, making sure that they're they feel a part of the family part of the community, whether or not they can physically be there,” Gemmel said.
There has been a push in recent years for people to live independently at home for as long as people can. Gemmel says their PACE program can help, but she believes there are also benefits of assisted senior living.
“Because you have that built in network of people there and so you can choose whether you want to participate in certain activities," Gemmel said. "But the fact is that there's always someone there just to engage with you and know your name and recognize you and greet you each day. That goes so far in addition to the physical support that you receive in a community also.”
She acknowledges senior isolation is a real problem year-round. The National Poll On Healthy Aging from the Institute For Healthcare Policy and Innovation in Michigan says approximately one in three adults or 37 percent feel a lack of companionship. The poll also found that one in three adults age 50 to 80 expressed feeling isolated from others 29 percent of the time and five percent often.
