SHORTSHOT80/NANCY.....FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO LIVE. i CAN'T BE WITHOUT MY "aBBI" EITHER. i WUOLD FINE SOMEWHERE ELSE TO LIVE AND i WOULD DO IT NOW! i WOULD EVEN FIND SOMEONE TO HELP. iN THE CITY WHERE YOU ARE THERE SHOULD BE SOME ADULT HELP.. CHECK IT OUT...NANCY

Hi, @wandajo44, I am single now also and my one daughter lives out-of-state. Loneliness is a bear and it can happen whether we have a family nearby or a spouse or a senior community filled with others. I met a close cyber friend through a gardening internet group.

She lives in a multi-family bldg in Queens, NY. I live in a one person (with kitty) residence in TX. Her daily life challenges and mine are so different that it is like daily corresponding with a person living on a different continent or planet. smiles

Finding the Mayo Connect site, first for a serious kidney diagnosis, opened up a whole new avenue of interest, help, and encouragement for me. When Mayo added the COVID-19 interest threads, it became an important part of my daily "go-to-activity".

I am 76 and most of my longtime friends have moved, either to be closer to family or to more health oriented facilities. Some have died and I miss those decades long friendships. However, each night I list 3 items to work on for the next day. Although I am not feeling energetic or ambitious by any means and the tasks are not large, they get me going each morning. Taking frequent, early neighborhood walks gives me a new perspective on the day and helps my spirits. There are many virtual tours we can see on the internet. Nature/animal and gardening tours are great stress relievers for me.

Do you have phone contact with others you are friends with or care about? I call several of my neighbors, one each day, to just check in on how they are doing. I like to be outside when weather permits. Are you in an area or bldg where you have a terrace for some sunshine or a place that you feel safe to walk about in?

My NY friend is newly widowed and fears going on the elevator for her mail or to the communal laundry room. She says she practices deep breathing before stepping out into her crowded hall because of panic attacks and suits up to the hilt when leaving the bldg to shop for her groceries and prescriptions. What type of establishment are you living in? Do you feel safe going outside for some fresh air?

Probably most people here would admit to times of loneliness; not just in times of bereavement or even because of the Covid-19. I believe one of the hardest challenges we face as we age are adapting to the losses in our lives and deciding how we intend to spend our days going forward. For sure, some days are easier than others. Thinking of you and hoping you'll continue to post.