I like the action items! I think they are part of the broader theme that many older individuals are less socially connected than younger people. This means that you need to reach out and see how you can provide emotional and physical support. While a checklist is helpful, it can be as simple as asking how they are doing and listening to how you can be there with them.
Absolutely! I think dedicating time to building both camaraderie with and support networks for older individuals (esp. those not familially related) is a key challenge that one might consider a neglected cause; more of us taking it on has the potential of increasing the average human lifespan and wellbeing. The big question is: how to motivate younger people within our society to treat it as an essential cause / change social norms around pursuing such actions?
This is a very thoughtful post and list of action items. I remember seeing similar action items for the start of COVID and I think it still rings true. I appreciate your anecdotes about your landlord (and I really do hope he will be okay) showing the fallible nature of human psychology that causes us to be afraid to ask for help, accept help, or offer help.
Yes, he is okay now! He’s back and currently registered as a patient via the “Hospital at Home” program. I did get him echinacea tea and Danish butter cookies today — he’s also a fan of tea and appreciated receiving these treats!
This resonated. Thanks for sharing. It made me think about the importance of activities that give you time to reflect. For example, shoveling snow. Going to the bathroom without a phone. Riding the metro without headphones. When we are constantly stimulated, we leave no time to second guess ourselves.
I like the action items! I think they are part of the broader theme that many older individuals are less socially connected than younger people. This means that you need to reach out and see how you can provide emotional and physical support. While a checklist is helpful, it can be as simple as asking how they are doing and listening to how you can be there with them.
Absolutely! I think dedicating time to building both camaraderie with and support networks for older individuals (esp. those not familially related) is a key challenge that one might consider a neglected cause; more of us taking it on has the potential of increasing the average human lifespan and wellbeing. The big question is: how to motivate younger people within our society to treat it as an essential cause / change social norms around pursuing such actions?
This is a very thoughtful post and list of action items. I remember seeing similar action items for the start of COVID and I think it still rings true. I appreciate your anecdotes about your landlord (and I really do hope he will be okay) showing the fallible nature of human psychology that causes us to be afraid to ask for help, accept help, or offer help.
Yes, he is okay now! He’s back and currently registered as a patient via the “Hospital at Home” program. I did get him echinacea tea and Danish butter cookies today — he’s also a fan of tea and appreciated receiving these treats!
This resonated. Thanks for sharing. It made me think about the importance of activities that give you time to reflect. For example, shoveling snow. Going to the bathroom without a phone. Riding the metro without headphones. When we are constantly stimulated, we leave no time to second guess ourselves.
Touching story :)