Welcome to Sunset Weekly

Why the loneliness epidemic matters to us all, particularly in the end-of-life realm.

Loneliness has long been linked to adverse effects on physical and mental health. Covid and the subsequent social isolation experienced by many seemed to draw more attention to loneliness as a widespread issue as people hunkered down and had limited in-real-life interactions. However, even as Covid restrictions lifted and people resumed social activities, loneliness has persisted and is now what the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has described as “an epidemic on par with tobacco use”, impacting 1 in 2  American adults. (1 in 2!!)**. And, like tobacco use, loneliness can come with long-term consequences. 

The intensity and impacts of loneliness can vary according to factors such as age, social support, and geographical location. However, in a time of growing social isolation, whether fleeting or long-standing, loneliness is something that most have experienced at some point.  In fact, loneliness has been identified as a major concern for people of all age groups, impacting physical health, psychological wellbeing, quality of life, and life expectancy. 

Loneliness impacts people across the lifespan and is worthy of attention at any age. Why might being on alert for loneliness be of particular importance at the end of life? How can we proactively mitigate the risks and consequences of loneliness both now and the end of life- for ourselves and others? Dr. Vivek Murthy, quoted above, states that “the antidote [to loneliness]… is human connection”**. How do YOU work with loneliness?

The topic might sound grim - especially in contrast to the bright, colorful warmth of bustling summer- but just like when we talk about death, there is space for holding it all at once. A conversation about death can be dark and 'depressing', but also full of joy and aliveness. As such, a conversation about loneliness is not just about loneliness, but also joy, social connection, and togetherness. So, come join the community discussion and see what unfolds.    

In order to understand Elderhood, we must understand aging and how it is viewed, approached, and 'treated' in our culture (wrinkles?? Gasp- no! But elephants make them look good, so why shouldn't we?). Aging at one point in time was actually viewed as a disease in and of itself (!). How has aging been defined and treated historically in medicine and society, and how does this impact us today? By failing to acknowledge differences in age groups, we risk mis-identifying each one’s unique needs, desires, risks, and benefits. (For example, blood pressure medications have different effects in a young adult compared to an elder). Gerontology is a growing interdisciplinary approach to caring for the social, medical, and psychological needs of older people in an effort to promote quality of life and well-being. (Geriatrics are specifically medically-focused). What does a focus on health rather than medicine do for patients? How can we integrate this understanding into our own care to advocate for ourselves and those we care for?

The senses are one way that we experience, connect with, and communicate with the world. What is your relationship to each sense?

This week we explore life and death through the five senses beginning with a mindfulness practice. What is your relationship to the sense of sight? sound? smell? taste? touch? Are these senses intact? Do you have other senses to add to this list? Do certain senses seem diminished or enhanced to you regularly or in different situations? Our senses, whether we have 3 or 6, provide us with input from our environment, giving us information about safety, social connections, incoming pleasure or pain, and more. Tuning into our senses is a way to practice presence, but it can also provide insight into how we might make choices or adjustments to sensory input from our environment at different times in our lives or at the end of our lives to create an optimal environment. 

An important element in how we view death is our beliefs of what happens afterwards. What is your answer to this big question? Why? Is yours an answer that is rooted in spirituality? Science? Personal experience? How open are you to possibilities? Those who believe in reincarnation might approach life a bit differently than those who believe that once we die, it is all over. How do your beliefs inform how you move about this world? How do your beliefs about life after death tell you about your beliefs about life right now?