Elderly loneliness may be more common than you think. Find out what you can do about it.

Aging can be lonely and isolating. You may not realize it, but there are many internal and external changes that are happening to your elderly parents that can make them feel down.

Feelings of isolation and loneliness are actually widespread among elders. It may begin with loss of mobility and independence due to sickness, or the loss of a spouse. This may then be compounded by decline in physical strength, increased dependence on other people, and passing of friends, to name a few.

While your elderly parents may be in your home, they may still suffer through lack of contact with the outside world or with their own circles. There’s a loss of fun and exciting activities that make them look forward to the next days.

For you, who sees your parents deal with elderly loneliness, you may feel helpless and sad.

Here are some tips on what you can do to help protect your parents from elderly loneliness and life their spirits up.

1. Maintain frequent contact. Make sure to talk to them regularly, especially on special occasions. And furthermore, whenever you can, come by for a visit. Let them feel you care and you’re there for them. Hug them, include them in your conversations, and make your visits pleasant and enjoyable.

2. Take them to trips they may enjoy. Let them get social and allow them to interact with others by planning trips around their entertainment and enjoyment. Whether it’s concerts, plays, festivals, or what-have-you, the important thing is that you plan something you’re sure your elderly parents would appreciate and even participate in.

3. Let them get techie. Technology plays a big role these days in bringing people together. Consider fostering and encouraging connections to your family and to their friends by teaching them about computers, mobile phones, and apps. The internet will open a world to them and keep them occupied as well.

Everyone experiences the blues, but your parents may be more susceptible to elderly loneliness due to the lifestyle they lead. Your willingness to take the time to understand and help them can mean a lot.