Fun and Pleasure is Important in Old Age
Boredom and Depression Challenge Elders
Almost everyone I know is worried about an elderly relative who is living with loneliness, boredom, or the blues. Adults on the go with jobs, travel, and parenting are troubled by thoughts of Grandma or Grandpa at home alone.
Everyday I talk to people in their 70's, 80's, and 90's about their lives. Some are lucky to be blessed with good health, interests they can still enjoy, ability to walk and drive, and the right mix of social and alone time. Unfortunately, most of my elderly acquaintances are reporting to varying degrees "emptiness," "uselessness," "long days," or "monotony."
As a social worker, I believe we can improve elders' moods most effectively by creating daily or weekly routines that bring pleasure, fun and social contact. Young people have school, adults have jobs or child-rearing. What exactly are old people to do all day? Part of the answer is that old people need to get out of the house, be expected somewhere, show up and engage with the outside world.
Elderly Services is committed to offering elders a social life- a public life outside of the home. We've been providing frail elders a safe and helpful social haven at Project Independence for 25 years. Now we've launched ESI College for independent elders- a return to school experience. We believe the structured intellectual and social companionship of school could become institutionalized for the last two decades of life as it has for the first two decades of life.
If you are worried about a lonely or bored elderly loved one, I hope you will call to talk with me or another of our social workers. We are happy to provide eldercare consultation to you or mental health counseling to an elder facing depression.
Joanne Corbett
Executive Director
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