In our twilight years the holidays can be a blessing for some and a curse for others. If you are included in a loving family or a circle of friends, the holidays can be a blessing, a time for expressing love, making and sharing memories. If you are alone, or ill, the holidays can seem like a curse as scenes of holiday love and happiness fill your TV screen.
Here are two suggestions to help you survive the holidays if you are alone.
VOLUNTEER
Photo by Esra Afşar for Unsplash
If you are physically able, volunteer your time during the holidays. Helping others is one remedy for feeling alone. Soup kitchens, the Salvation Army, church programs, community groups, and animal shelters are always looking for volunteers. Here are three places to find volunteer opportunities:
Volunteers of America
voa.org
Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest, established comprehensive human services organizations with 15,000 mission-driven professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, the faith-based nonprofit has programs in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, serving more than 2 million people a year.
Toll Free: (800) 899-0089
Phone: (703) 341-5000
Volunteer Match
volunteermatch.org
A portal for volunteers to connect with the nonprofits, and in a way, it’s its own search engine specifically for volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer match also has online volunteer opportunities if you are unable to leave your home.
AARP Create the Good
createthegood.aarp.org
Create the Good connects you with volunteer opportunities to share your life experiences, skills and passions in your community
Toll Free: 1-888-687-2277
CONNECT
Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash
You are not alone! There are other people, just like you, who are struggling with loneliness during the holidays. Here are some ways to connect.
Meetup.com
An online tool to help you meet new people face-to-face. Search the site to find people near you who share common interests. You can join a group to see where and when they meet and decide if you want to give it a try. There’s no obligation to stick with a group once you’ve joined.
Friend to Friend America
friendtofriendamerica.org
Friend to Friend America recruits and trains volunteers in the community to visit lonely and isolated seniors.
AARP Friendly Voice
aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/friendly-voice
Sometimes, just hearing a friendly voice on the other end of the line can help in challenging times. Trained AARP Friendly Voice volunteers will provide a call to say hello.
Call directly at 1-888-281-0145 and leave your information and they will call you back.
Know of a resource for people alone in their twilight? Message me and I’ll share it.
Jim Cyr is a trained spiritual companion who helps older adults reflect on the meaning of their lives and how God has been present or absent as they face the challenges of aging and end of life.