Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of making seniors feel valued and integrated to combat isolation and loneliness, which are detrimental to their mental and physical health.

Abstract

The article "The Critical Need to Help Seniors Feel Less Isolated by Helping Them Feel That They Matter" discusses the significance of helping elderly individuals feel that they are valued and valuable members of society. It highlights that mattering involves being heard, appreciated, and cared for, as well as feeling capable and important. The piece underscores that isolation and loneliness among the elderly not only exacerbate physical ailments but also contribute to a lack of recognition and affirmation. Statistics show a high percentage of seniors living alone and facing health risks associated with loneliness. The article suggests that to foster a sense of belonging and significance, the adult community should engage with the elderly through spending time, listening, seeking advice, encouraging activity, showing appreciation, and involving them in manageable tasks. It also acknowledges the challenges faced by those with limited social skills or mobility and emphasizes the need for personalized interaction to address the core human need of mattering.

Opinions

The author finds the concept of 'mattering' crucial and enlightening for addressing the mental well-being of the elderly.
There is an acknowledgment that self-worth and self-respect are not enough; external validation and appreciation are also vital for healthy well-being.
The author believes that the adult community has a role in providing help and guidance to ensure the elderly feel valued.
The article points out that a significant number of seniors experience isolation and loneliness, which can be seen as a measure of feeling undervalued or irrelevant.
Experts advise that promoting a sense of belonging among older people should be a priority, with a focus on educating the community about the benefits of caring for its elderly members.
The author suggests that personalized, one-on-one interactions are particularly effective in making the elderly feel that they matter, especially for those with limited mobility or social engagement.

The Critical Need to Help Seniors Feel Less Isolated by Helping Them Feel That They Matter

Six ways to help the isolated elders feel more socially integrated

A recent article in the NYTimes about the concept of ‘mattering’ alerted me to the need for the neurotypical i.e. the adult community to provide help and guidance on this issue.

The following essay looks at ways to help the elderly matter to themselves as well as in the eyes of others.

“To matter, people must feel valued — heard, appreciated and cared for — and they must feel like they add value in ways that make them feel capable, important and trusted.”

I am intrigued by this new concept, new to me, of mattering. The attraction for me is that it clearly shows the importance of others’ appreciation and validation of one’s value as an essential feature of healthy well-being.

It’s so true, and I have been remiss in thinking that concepts like self-worth and self-respect were all that mattered. No, others’ appreciation and expression of value for you count for a great deal as well.

Because of my recent interest in older people and their issues, I am now aware that the elderly suffer not only from various physical ailments but also from a paucity of recognition and affirmation. And this is due to isolation and loneliness.

The stats on isolation and loneliness are well known. And they themselves may be taken as indicators of lack of mattering.

For example, A survey conducted by Consumer Affairs found that 28% of seniors live alone, totaling more than 14.7 million people.

Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of dementia by 50%. Other health risks related to loneliness include stroke (risk increases by 32%), heart disease (risk increases by 29%), mental health disorders (risk increases by 26%), and premature mortality (risk increases by 26%). The health effects of loneliness are equivalent to smoking fifteen cigarettes each day.

A University of Michigan study done in June of 2020 found that 56% of adults aged 50 to 80 felt isolated.

Another study reported that about 60% of Americans feel left out or isolated from others, with younger generations experiencing higher levels of loneliness.

Making elderly individuals feel they matter involves recognizing their value, addressing their needs, and fostering a sense of belonging and significance.

Many cognitively active older adults would love to feel a sense of usefulness, even if their physical functions are limited. Those of us still in the adult community can help introduce conversational topics or tasks where the senior can feel wanted and needed.

Old age experts advise that a substantial focus in our community should be to promote a sense of belonging amongst older people; the essential task is to educate people on the benefits derived from actions and programs that leave people with a core sense that their community cares about them.

There are many ways to help the elderly feel that they matter. Here are a few ideas:

· Spend time with them. One of the best ways to show someone they matter is to spend time with them. This could mean visiting them regularly, taking them out to lunch, or simply calling them on the phone.

· Listen to them. Take the time to listen to the elderly’s stories and experiences. They have a lot to share, and they will appreciate it if you take the time to listen.

· Ask for their advice and opinions. The elderly have a lot of wisdom and knowledge. Ask them for their advice on things like parenting, relationships, or career choices.

· Help them stay active and engaged. Encourage the elderly to participate in activities like volunteering, attending social events, or taking classes. This will help them stay active and engaged in their community.

· Show them appreciation. Let the elderly know how much you appreciate them for all that they have done. Tell them how much you love them and their importance to you.

· Introduce manageable projects or tasks for them to oversee where they will feel a sense of accomplishment.

Most of these ideas operate at the level of one-on-one interaction which is the right way for this group. Elderly people are often limited in mobility and averse to going out.

My father refused to go to senior Centers; his social skills were limited to those in his own occupational category, but they were all retired and isolated.

Bringing more social immersion and engagement with people is more difficult for people like him. All he could manage before he passed was interactions with his family.

Hence, overcoming isolation and loneliness, though not necessarily related, is a difficult challenge.

However, it is possible to find ways to increase one’s sense of mattering; it is a core human need that deserves attention and support.

The steps mentioned above can help people feel more connected, appreciated, and capable, and reduce the harmful effects of isolation and loneliness.