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I'm a senior living alone: How do I find help?

Posted by mogal1951 @mogal1951, Jul 18, 2018

I am a senior woman that lives alone. I fear getting more severely depressed and needing help in my home with meds and food. NO...I do not have ANYONE...been way too depressed for way too long for opportunity to meet people. Does anyone know an organization I can contact that can find help for me? ANY suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

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lindamartin | @lindamartin | Oct 5 10:48pm
In reply to @marshagreen "I really relate to what you said. I, too, have no one. And I’ve suffered for..." + (show)
Profile picture for marshagreen @marshagreen

I really relate to what you said. I, too, have no one. And I’ve suffered for clinical depression since high school. However, that hasn’t stopped me from making friends. I’m just concerned about when I start getting senile, incapacitated, or whatever who would fill the position a family member would normally fill: getting home health, checking to make sure the ace show up, paying them. I am working out something with a lawyer. I really trust. I’m trying to get a network of friends who don’t have to assume the whole entire job the way a son or daughter might. But for example, if they noticed I was getting to the point where I needed help they would contact him. If he needed to hire a home health aids, they could take turns interviewing them. They would occasionally follow up with home visits to make sure that everything is being done properly and again if there is a problem report back to the lawyer. I think the burden of running the whole show is too much to put on a Friend, but having three or four people who might take on those individual tasks… Well, it’s just like they’d be coming to visit me just like they did before I was incapacitated. It really put my mind at ease, to rest and relieved a lot of stress and anxiety to feel like I could set up something like this. Our society is not set up to “take care of “older people or those who are incapacitated and don’t have family or the incredible friend who would take the place of the son or daughter… A huge responsibility to put on a friend!

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@marshagreen Interesting idea. So many seniors are alone with no support.

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pearl72 | @pearl72 | Oct 13 8:26pm

1)Try your Parks &Recreation Dept for Senior Services opportunities, 2) try a local nearby Church for their Meals on Wheels, 3) try your local Health Department, 4) try your local Pastoral Counseling organization.

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gmaj85 | @gmaj85 | Oct 19 9:59am

Have you tried contacting your county or state senior help department? They may be able to help you. Good luck!

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kaylin7 | @kaylin7 | Nov 9 5:15pm

Call the local senior center. Ask them for advice getting help from a nursing assistant. Ask which place has good quality care and a good reputation. The Nursing assistant will come and do lighthousekeeping for you on the days you need her. It takes some time to evaluate you by a nurse and I'm sure Medicare covers it. Good luck...Please get the help you need😊🙏

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cherokeefaith | @cherokeefaith | 1 day ago

Church going and ladies Bible study groups and retreats have been really helpful for me. Reading the Psalms is very encouraging for me.

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ellu | @ellu | 1 day ago

Hi there, I am in Australia so I will keep it relevant. ! am 72, and when my husband died 5 years ago suddenly my social life collapsed. I knew I had to do something to avoid living a lonely and isolated old age. First, I joined a
PROBUS Club in my area. Probus is like Rotary but for retired people. Some clubs are women only or men only, but most clubs are mixed. There are 125 members in my Probus club. We have a general meeting once a month,
and sub-committees of the club organize things like : morning coffees, lunches and dinners, and day long activites like group excursions (last month 30 of us went on a bus tour to the hills outside the city. We visited some beautiful gardens and had lunch in a local winery). Some of the activities you have to pay for to cover costs,
but they are very reasonable. We have a Walking Group which meets twice a week, a Movie Group, a Book Club,
so many opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. Most of our members are in their 70s or 80s.
There are several people in their 90s who participate! Accessibility for aged or disabled people is always arranged. I use a walker, but that does not prevent me attending events. I have also suffred from bipolar disorder (some really severe depressions over the years) but the Probus Club is very welcoming and kind.
So get hold of your local Probus club (your local council should b able to give contact details) and ring Probus
and ask if you can go along to a few meetings or activities to find out whether it is suitable for you. Our club has
a special getting-to-know-you morning tea for new members or people thinking of joining, where you will be made very welcome and find out about upcoming events. I know what depression is like, but you have to reach out for friendship and support. PICK UP THAT PHONE NOW!! It is hard to motivate yourself when you are depressed, but this one step will make an enormous difference to your life. Very best wishes, Ellen

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