People of all ages can feel lonely, but the elderly are especially likely to feel this way. A recent study found that almost half of all people over 60 are lonely. This is an issue that can have a big effect on the health and wellbeing of a person.

There are many reasons why it’s so hard for older people to be alone. One reason is that as people get older, they often stop talking to their friends and family. This can happen for many reasons, like moving or getting sick. Another reason is that many senior citizens live alone and don’t see other people very often.

The good news is that getting older doesn’t have to mean getting lonely. There are many things that can be done to keep older people from being alone or to make them feel less alone. Read on to find out more.

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Listen

Sometimes, listening is the best thing you can do for someone. Just being there to listen can help the person you care about feel less alone. Engage the person you care about in conversation by asking them questions and encouraging them to talk. At first, it might not be easy, but if you’re willing to learn, you’ll get far, and it could make all the difference.

Not only could listening mean the older person in your life feels more wanted and cared for – and therefore less lonely – but it might also allow them to bring up problems they are facing, allowing you to offer advice. This could be a health issue, a financial one, boredom, or perhaps a problem in their nursing home, which, left unchecked, might mean a nursing home wrongful death suit. It’s far better to listen than to leave things in a dangerous situation.

Give Them A Computer

It’s crucial to keep in touch with a family member who lives far away. Memories, films, texts, images, and more can all be quickly and easily shared with the use of a tablet or desktop computer. Your family member could use the internet to join social networking sites and meet people in the neighborhood.

Tablet computers can be helpful for people with mobility issues because they are portable and can be used on the lap. When using a tablet, the elderly may need assistance, particularly if they have arthritic hands. Styli and sponge tip pens can be used in conjunction with tablets to make using them a lot easier; the easier they are to use, the more likely someone is to actually use them.

Courses teaching seniors the fundamentals of computer use are regularly offered at community centers and libraries across the country. By joining in with such a group, your loved one can learn the skills they need to keep in touch with you, open up a whole world of information and entertainment, and even make new friends who are learning the same thing.

Suggest They Volunteer

One of the issues some older people have is that they don’t really have a reason to leave the house, so they don’t often see other people. They might like to get some fresh air, but they can do that in the yard, and even groceries can be brought to the door so no supermarket visit is required. This might be convenient, but this – and other modern ways of living – can mean that the opportunities to see people are limited.

If that’s the case, why not suggest that your loved one volunteer in their local area? They could help run a blood drive, cook at a soup kitchen, be a helper at a school (although checks will be required for this), pick up litter, and more. Volunteers are needed in all kinds of ways at all times, so if there is a cause dear to their heart or a local charity that needs help, volunteering would ensure they aren’t so lonely. Even if they only do it once a week, that’s a good start.

Consider A Roommate

Not only does living with other people save money, but the daily interaction can keep seniors from becoming lonely. There are agencies that help people find roommates. They do background checks, which are important for safety in shared living situations, and match people with similar interests and ways of life. Some colleges, like NYU, even have programs where students help out around the house in exchange for room and board.

Although this won’t be something everyone wants to do, and some would prefer to have their homes to themselves, for others, it could be exactly what they need to be happy, healthy, and to combat loneliness. It’s worth a discussion with your loved one to see if it would help.