The senior center in our town has been helping many for a lot of years. Some members with specialities, offer their services to seniors Free of Charge. Like tax preparation, computer help, help with housecleaning...free lunches and stuff I don't think of off hand. I use their housekeeping service and they are funded by govt to help the seniors who are low income. I get a 4 hr house cleaner every 2-3 months and it's heaven for me. Otherwise I'd have to pay $60 or so for 4 hr helper. I live in a small apt and it's very manageable by Myself...a couple things I can no longer do due to body surgery damage... So the center we have in our town is very helpful. Aging alone???????? Family gone, friends gone, grandkids doing their own lives, and spouse if one had one or more, are gone or you are taking care of each other or trying to. .
To me, aging alone is just that. Living alone in your older years, whether in your home or in a fancy facility. Perhaps never married or maybe a widow(er), divorced, whatever. I never considered children or friends, but simply the living arrangements. I suppose it is open to interpretation. We also have a nice senior center at the local community center. They provide hot meals at lunch time and there is an active group of men who play cards a few times a week. There's also a quilting group and other activities. I have never participated there but I know people who do and they enjoy it. Last time I voted, it was lunch time and the food smelled wonderful across the hall in the seniors' area. The dining room appeared to be full of people, too.
I just went to our senior center site. It seems covid is still affecting us. The library is shut down. Why? Will books give you covid? The office is permanently closed except to those working there. It closes at 3:00...But they are looking for volunteers for stuff like exercise classes. The center is probably like every other organization. It is as good as those involved.
They worried about Covid being transmitted on surfaces when the whole thing started. When they actually checked, they found it could not survive on surfaces long enough to cause a disease causing transfer. All the cleaning that went on at the beginning was stopped.
For the whole almost 3 yrs when my social worker would visit me to sign papers etc she was Never without a mask, Me: never had one on, and she stayed outside my door to conduct what needed to be done. I got a little "smart" with her about the mask, but thought I'd better shut up. They are paranoid as are so so many Old Folks....what happened to "old me"...j
Dr John Campbell informed us of the truth with information that could back it up. The government kept the populous afraid, to herd us to their own agendas. Nothing wrong with old folks like us. We have a good immune system, take vitamin d3, k2/7 and zinc/copper
But I've added the powerful antioxidant Grape Seed Extract long while ago. And realizing that my OLD friends are hanging in pretty darn good at early 90's, late 80's and they all take Grape Seed Extract. I don't ask them about the jab etc as that's their choice, not mine. A dear friend finally left us at 95 and had taken Grape Seed Ex for probably 15 yrs....she was a miracle. Her heart finally "had it"... She waked good too, no replacements in her life. I think of her a lot.
Hi I’m new here and this is my first comment. I think, first, the aging alone numbers are a reflection of Baby Boomers being the largest generational population in history. Sadly, though, another reason, and one not seen before in these large numbers, is parental estrangement. There are a lot of seniors, myself included, who have been kicked out of their children’s and grandchildren’s lives for no logical reason.
You are right. I figure the grandparents used to have a place in the family--a need. To watch the babies, teach cooking, knitting, shop....But now technology can teach whatever is needed so oldsters may be cast aside. The family and religion are being systematically destroyed. Then the nanny state can take over. After depressing everyone, may I say WELCOME to the Board, Jan!
Welcome @Jan Ahlmann . I would be mostly alone if it were not for my wife the communicator. She maintains the contacts and is the peacemaker in the family.
I'm certainly not #1 in grandkids lives, they are 25 and 23, but I remind them I alive with an email now and then. Thinking way back, I was not real close to my grandparents, who were from the old country into PA Millions are alone so it's not so unusual. Make the best of what is left.. Jan, I see how young you are, when was in my 60's I was helping my older friends and n ow I have a friend in her 70's who helps me when she can. I'm, 84, and a friend said a long while ago, she didn't feel old until she hit 80, she's 90 now. Reflect on your life and all the good years you have had and will continue to have. Check in with people you have not conected with for some yrs, I do t hat. Win win for both of us.I recently connected with a long lost cousin and it was a high for both of us.
Jan, there has to be reasons why you feel kicked out. Think on this one. Maybe you wanted to be too much in their lives.
being the consummate caregiver, communities of caring people seem to gravitate towards the groups of people around me. a wide network of support is critical to provide a safety net for people who have few resources and little interaction in the community. family can't be bothered or are racked with guilt. worse are those who try to take advantage. i enjoyed meeting and connecting friends so the senior centers were great opportunities to learn. sadly, the recent program changes have only isolated people even more. it's truly heartbreaking to witness a person with limited capabilities struggling to provide assistance for those less able. they're only trying to do the best that they can do.
I didn’t play this for unsolicited advice. You don’t know me or my family or anything about us. Your comment is unwanted and hurtful. Think on that!