https://blogs.mercola.com:443/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2024/06/09/loneliness-is-reducing-lifespans-of-seniors.aspxLoneliness is more than an emotional state; it has serious health implications, especially for the elderly. A recent study using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, involving 15,500 participants aged 65 to 99, found that lonelinessenCommunityServer 2008.5 SP1 (Debug Build: 31106.3070)https://blogs.mercola.com:443/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2024/06/09/loneliness-is-reducing-lifespans-of-seniors.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#13838906/9/2024 9:21:48 AM24451277-a5aa-4add-96dc-64081bfd86fa:1383890coffeecup<p>Yes, but she doesn’t want one, we’ve asked her about that. She doesn’t want anything to occupy her time such as books, puzzles, etc. The only thing in her mind that she assumes would satisfy her loneliness, is her husband back. She cries for attention constantly like a child that never grew up and it seems that’s the problem, not growing upto anyone and everyone who will give her the attention, yet it never satisfies her. Yet won’t do much to help herself nor call on the Lord “who satisfies the longing heart”. We do what we can and just pray for her. I only mention this because there are some like my step mom in law who refuse to be comforted.</p> https://blogs.mercola.com:443/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2024/06/09/loneliness-is-reducing-lifespans-of-seniors.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#13838796/9/2024 6:50:46 AM24451277-a5aa-4add-96dc-64081bfd86fa:1383879coffeecup<p>My step mother in law is literally “sick” with loneliness since the passing of her husband (my husbands father) 8 years ago. She lives in a senior apartment complex with plenty of daily interactions available to her if she chooses. However, it doesn’t matter how much time she spends with people during the day, the minute she walks back into her apartment, and she’s alone with her own thoughts, they always take her to the deeps. She refuses hearing aids which might at least help her hear what people are saying. It also stops some (many) potential relationships she could have, from deepening. The bottom line is she is just depressed and freely and constantly tells us so. I just don’t have a clue what to do for her because it is never enough. </p> <p>Once she is by herself at the end of the day, everything during the day has essentially been undone. So I really don’t know that someone like her has much hope for any interventions’. She chooses to a large degree to be depressed. Of course I’m not speaking of everyone who is lonely here. But she had a miserable childhood and what comforts her is actually her misery. I know that sounds ridiculous and impossible, but some people really do embrace their misery because frankly that’s all they have..memories good and bad. She will not allow anyone to try and encourage her about the past troubles because we’ve learned she essentially sees them as her only friends and comfort.</p>