Coping with Loneliness in Old Age: When Therapy is Crucial

Loneliness is a common phenomenon, however, it's much worse among older people. Several factors can contribute to loneliness in old age, yet the absence of human connection can be a leading cause of loneliness among older adults. Life is transient and as we get older, we find that our social circles start getting smaller with the passing years, this change can be quite sudden and overwhelming for anyone. Loneliness itself is mentally paralyzing, thus experiencing it in old age can be quite traumatic often leading to feelings of sadness and rejection. Navigating old age can be bearable with the presence of family and loved ones, however, where there's none, the individual may find life a lot challenging. Are you feeling dejected as a result of loneliness? Is coping with old age tough and the absence of loved ones making daily life unbearable? In this blog post, we'll explore loneliness and when therapy is important. You can draw inspiration from Marco's experience for insights into navigating loneliness as an older adult.

Marco's Experience

Loneliness in old age is a silent struggle many face #tCaPC

Marco runs a cafe where he has served freshly baked tacos for nearly forty decades. He has no children and no family members nearby. He refused to remarry after Merilyn died of cancer, six months into their marriage. He decided to focus on the cafe. He had a close friend who lived in a nearby city. As Marco grew older he became sad and grumpy. His loneliness worsened at night while cleaning up after the last customer. Marco's experience is unique yet common among older adults. Read on to find out how Marco managed loneliness through therapy.

Understanding Loneliness in Old Age

Living with no real human connections can be debilitating and mentally paralyzing, especially for older adults. Marco in our story felt deeply isolated and desirous of real human connections, which are often found in children, couples, family members, or loved ones. Despite his interactions at work, and the company of his staff, Marco felt a deep sense of loss and alienation. This weighed heavily on his mind for long.  At first, he didn't understand what to make of the feelings until he sought professional help. Understanding the significance of human interaction and its impact on our emotional well-being is important for combating loneliness, especially in old age.

The Desire for Companionship

The longing for human interaction is at the core of our human nature. We are social beings and thus love to talk and share our lives with others. In Marco's case, despite the attempt to replace the innate human need for close connections with work, he couldn't escape the associated emotional burden. Work, no matter how productive and fulfilling may not be enough to fill the void that only love and care from family can fill. The bustling nature of human existence cannot replace the need for real connections, hence, where it's nonexistent, the individual is bound to feel empty and helpless.

Consider these coping strategies for combating loneliness in old age:

Embracing Independence

One way to cope with loneliness, especially in old age, is to embrace independence. Marco in our story learnt the power of independence. Through therapy he learned to appreciate what he has; the ability to care for himself, build a business, and maintain physical health. This self-reflection helped address his feelings of helplessness. He also learned to embrace independence, drawing strength from his ability to navigate life without the presence of loved ones. Embracing independence can help rebuild trust in oneself, empowering the individual to combat loneliness.

Staying Active

Embracing an active lifestyle is a powerful way to combat loneliness (tCaPC).

An active lifestyle can be a source of support for combating loneliness. For Marco, work and immersing himself in the daily routine of the business helped him maintain an active life. It also helped alleviate loneliness. A sedentary lifestyle is risky, more so, for anyone battling feelings of loneliness. Simple activities like hiking, drawing, volunteering, or engaging in favorite hobbies can help provide direction and distract the mind from negative feelings.

The Role of Pets

Pets can prove a reliable source of company to make up for the absence of human connection. They are known to provide companionship and comfort, especially for older adults, with no kids or family nearby. Where the presence of human contact is unattainable, as in the case of Marco, having pets can help provide the needed company. Marco learned that loneliness doesn't span from the absence of human connection alone, the inability to connect with the universe can contribute to loneliness. Driving home each day from work with Winnie, his cat, in the back seat helped relieve loneliness, providing inner strength for moving on. Understanding how pets can be reliable sources of comfort and company is key to overcoming loneliness in older adults.

Pets bring joy and companionship, helping to alleviate loneliness in old age (tCaPC).

The Need for Therapy in Addressing Emotional Need

The place of therapy cannot be overstated, especially in managing loneliness in older adults. Therapy is important for managing underlying psychological issues. Also, it's important for unbundling underlying feelings and providing a safe space for coping with the mental condition. Therapy helps with developing coping strategies. For Marco, therapy provided the much-needed emotional support to self-assess and find strategies for navigating the condition. Also, he learned to explore opportunities for building new connections. He joined a community of widowers, the platform afforded him the chance to rebuild human connections and nurture new friendships. 

Conclusion

Loneliness is a human phenomenon, however, it's much worse in old age, especially among individuals with no family. Marco's story highlights the mental toll that loneliness can have on older adults who don't have a family to provide human connection. The need for companionship is innate and cannot be substituted with anything including work no matter how productive or fulfilling. Understanding loneliness in old age, and the need to embrace independence is key to overcoming loneliness. The place of therapy is key for anyone struggling with loneliness. Therapy provides the opportunity for finding expression, unbundling underlying feelings, and new ways of building new connections.