If you live alone - Page 2

SandySparkles · ‎06-13-2010

@Mom2Dogs Does she have any pets? If not, pehaps a furry companion is just what the doctor ordered if she likes animals.❤

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

People by and large do what they are going to do and mostly you can't change them. Don't let her drag you down with her if she doesn't want help or suggestions. Maybe tell her to snap out of it?

elated · ‎06-09-2010

@SandySparkles wrote:
@Mom2Dogs Does she have any pets? If not, pehaps a furry companion is just what the doctor ordered if she likes animals.❤

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

I think it is a good suggestion but you have to consider the finances. Maybe she continued to work because she needed the extra money. That was never mentioned in the OP..

Janey2 · ‎06-07-2010

You did not mention about her housing. Maybe (if possible) she needs to move. Are there developments in her area that are 55 and older with social activities? If she can go to a pool and other activities right where she lives she can easily meet people to socialize with daily. Just a suggestion.

SandySparkles · ‎06-13-2010

@elated wrote:
@SandySparkles wrote:
@Mom2Dogs Does she have any pets? If not, pehaps a furry companion is just what the doctor ordered if she likes animals.❤

~~~All we need is LOVE💖
I think it is a good suggestion but you have to consider the finances. Maybe she continued to work because she needed the extra money. That was never mentioned in the OP..

@elated EXCELLENT point!👍 That is certainly something to consider!❤

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

I have a co worker like that, I doubt she will ever retire. She would rather she die at her desk before ever getting a social life.

She doesn't need any more $. She lets us know regularly how well off she is.

roeroe1005 · ‎03-13-2010

I live alone and there are many days I do not see or talk to anyone. I moved to another state about 5 years ago to be near the beach and my cousin, who I was very close with, lived here. She and her husband have since moved back to NJ, so I am now here alone. My sister & nephews are in NY and I plan to move back in the next few months. I'm almost 70 and need to be closer to family.

But ... I also work 2 part time jobs. It forces me to get up, showered, dressed in real clothes. I work in a retail job 2 days a week, and I also sub in our local school district at least once per week.

At the end of 2023, I had fallen and fractured my right leg. That scared me, being alone, 4 hours away from my sister. The month of January, except for PT, I did not leave my apartment, saw no one, really didn't want to speak to anyone. Didn't sleep well, woke up late - I was a mess. Barely got out of my pajamas.

So I get what your friend is going thru.

It sounds like she may be depressed. She doesn't want to get involved in her local senior center, but, she could join a local meet-up and get involved with women in her age range. I belong to one and it helps. At least she would have friends to go to lunch with, or any social activity. There are other things she could do - volunteer at the library or elementary schools - just have to figure it out.

You can only do so much - she has to take the first step. I wish her good luck. It's like falling down a black hole.

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

@Mom2Dogs My father used to say "Life is what you make it." Seems like you're doing all you can for your friend. The rest is up to her. She has to make the effort.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

It's interesting that she's never been married so has lived alone before retirement. However for some retirement is a major change and not always in a good way.

My brother lost his spouse and retired last year. He also moved from the Midwest to live near me in PA. It's nice that he's only ten minutes away now. Before I would see him once a year. Now it's a few times a month.

He's in a retirement community so he's gotten involved with many activities.

Between pickleball, bowling, monthly parties in the clubhouse, weekly morning coffee get togethers, exercise classes twice a week, dog walks, volunteering with local politics and he just got a part time job two mornings a week with a cat rescue, he still wants to find someone so he's not "alone".

Maybe your friend needs to find local activities to help keep her busy with things that interest her. She might make some new friends along the way too.

cotton4me · ‎03-09-2010

My husband and I both had a tough time when we retired. We both missed the camaraderie of the workplace. It took me over a year to adjust. I developed new hobbies and skills which I enjoy and they keep me busy.

It sounds like your friend is an extrovert and needs contact with others, plus something to do. I don’t know what kind of opportunities exist where you are. I know people who volunteer at the hospital (all retirees). They help people find their way around and provide information about their loved ones, etc. I so appreciated them when my husband was hospitalized. Something like that would keep her around people and she would be making a difference in the lives of others.