While visting the nursing home Villages on MacArthur, I spoke to a 77-year-old woman that is bed ridden due to her health issues. In our conversation, she mentioned that she has one daughter that lives in Irving and three grandchildren in the metroplex. Sadly, she mentioned how lonely she feels, specially during the holidays. She excuses her daughter by saying she has to work too much and is unable to visit.
To her, the Holidays always meant a time to be together as a family and to be thankful to God for the blessings they had.
Thinking about her, I began to research information that could help her through her loneliness. Many of the online suggestions dealt with reaching out to love ones, which in this particular case would not be helpful. Other suggestions involved getting involved in support groups. Again, for a bed ridden woman, that is not possible unless it is an online community.
One helpful article titled "How to deal with loneliness" has some practical suggestions. Although the article is directed to young people, I was able to share some of the advice with this lovely lady at the nursing home.
If you have a parent or grandparent in a nursing home, please take the time to visit them. Even short visits can be very meaningful to your loved one. If you don't know what to talk about, take a game with you such as dominoes or play card games. These games can also help the elder one keep mentally sharp as well as spend a good time with you.
