SENIORS
family member, or who experiences a sudden separation from the community through a loss of transportation. It is important to find a way to stay connected. As a community, we can all help our lonely children, parents, neighbors and even strangers build meaningful connections.
Living alone doesn’t necessarily mean someone is lonely, but it can increase the risk of loneliness and social isolation. Although they are not the same, both contribute to serious health problems, such as depression, cognitive decline, high blood pressure, dementia, obesity, anxiety, weakened immune systems and heart disease. The National Institute on Aging distinguishes loneliness as “the distressing feeling of being alone or separated,” while social isolation is “the lack of social contacts and having few people to interact with regularly.” “You can live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, and you can feel lonely while being with other people,” according to NIA. Research by Dr. Steven Cole, director of the Social Genomics Core Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles, suggests chronic loneliness can trigger the body’s biological response to perceived threats. “Losing a sense of connection and community changes a person’s perception of the world,” he said. The most susceptible individuals are those suffering a sudden loss of a spouse or
TIPS FOR STAYING CONNECTED
• Take a class to learn something new. • Join an online community, such as Senior Planet from AARP. • Volunteer to help others in our community (e.g. Friends of the Library, City of Maricopa Volunteer Program, food bank). • Adopt a pet if you are able to care for them. • Schedule time each day to connect with family, friends or neighbors. • Restart an old hobby. • If you are living alone, consider signing up for the You Are Not Alone (YANA) program offered by police volunteers. They check in with you on a regular basis to see how you are doing.
You can live alone and not feel lonely or socially isolated, and you can feel lonely while being
with other people.” NATIONAL INSITUTE ON AGING
Say hello. Check on your neighbors. Stay in touch with family. That’s why I don’t mind when a lockbox installation lasts 45 minutes longer than I anticipated. Those small gestures take little effort but can mean a great deal to someone who feels alone.
NIA.NIH.gov/CommitToConnect
Ron Smith is a senior advocate and former member of the Senior Advisory Committee.
SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A MONTH $0 COST TO GET A QUOTE
Senior advocate Ron Smith installs a lockbox at the front door of a Province home.
• $0/mo health plans • Under $100/mo family plans • Affordable and customizable options for self employed • Customizable options for small businesses
M
Everyone needs social connections to survive, thrive
Those conversations sometimes lead to ongoing friendships but are almost always the best part of the job. According to the National Institute on Aging, everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive. That becomes vital as we age because older adults increasingly run into situations that isolate us from the community. We may have difficulty leaving home due to transportation issues; we have trouble hearing, which tends to isolate us; we lose a partner or spouse; we feel a lack of purpose; or we are acting as a caregiver. According to the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, more than 1 in 4 adults over age 65 live alone.
Y WIFE AND I INSTALL HOME lockboxes as part of a program offered by Maricopa Seniors, Inc., and the Maricopa Fire/Medical
Turning 65 and going onto Medicare? Get a full breakdown or education.
We will do a no cost comparison of employer coverage to help guide you
Department. The installations take just 10 to 15 minutes, but our visits often last more than an hour. Lockboxes provide MFMD easy access to a home when on a call, saving valuable time and avoiding the need to destroy a front door to gain emergency entry. Many individuals having a lockbox installed recently lost a spouse and we find they’re often looking for more than a lockbox. They need someone to talk to.
BY RON SMITH
Text or email: 480-546-5554 , reignhealthandwealth@gmail.com for a FREE quote KATIE LAMBERT
InMaricopa.com | November 2026
November 2026 | InMaricopa.com
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