Loneliness is a growing public health concern, particularly among older adults. As people age, they may experience a decline in social connections due to retirement, loss of loved ones, and physical limitations. This isolation can have a profound impact on their mental health, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression. Akhil, Nair Counselling Psychologist at Karma Care, speaks about his personal experience with older clients, "In my work with elderly clients, one of the most significant challenges they often face is the sense of losing control over their lives. Whether it’s the gradual decline of health, stepping away from roles they’ve held for decades, or the grief of losing loved ones, these transitions can bring a profound feeling of powerlessness." he adds how these people have spent their entire lives defining themselves with their work and the roles they play. "When those roles begin to fade, especially for those who’ve carried traditional gendered responsibilities, it can create a sense of loss that runs deeper than the surface. It often leads them to withdraw, as they try to hold on to some sense of relevance or control."How It Affects The Older Generations“Living in a close-knit family, I was always surrounded with children, family members and my friends. I never felt lonely or unappreciated. With most of them gone or living away, who do I have to take care of?” This was an account given by Smt. Radha Mishra, a widow who lost her husband in 2018 shared her experience living alone as her family grew apart. “All my children are married and living away in cities, the most I have here are my few relatives, I do feel lonely, but it comes with age, we have to live with it.” Manvi Khurana, Founder, CEO and Senior Counselling Psychologist at Karma Care tells us, "Clients in the elderly age group often come to sessions expressing feelings of melancholy and isolation, which can stem from various factors. In addition to feeling physically less energetic and unable to participate in family activities, they frequently report feeling mentally low and losing interest in activities they once enjoyed." Many older adults struggle to express their feelings of loneliness, often out of fear of being seen as a burden or of being dismissed. This can lead to a vicious cycle of isolation and emotional distress. It is important to recognize the signs of loneliness in older adults and to provide them with the support and companionship they need. Growing Epidemic of Loneliness“Coming from the army I was used to the strict schedules and workload. I had always known I would have a hectic schedule for a very long time, so I was looking forward to retirement and spending my days in peace. What I did not expect was the sudden sense of no productivity that I was hit with was jarring.” says Satish Sharma. As people age, they may experience a decline in social connections due to retirement, loss of loved ones, and physical limitations. This isolation can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression. Mrs. Veena, a housewife gave her account, “Although I had my husband to fall back on, it still quite lonely sometimes, I fill my days with household duties, tending to my plants and watching serials. My days are much livelier when my family and my grandchildren visit me however!” The pandemic has exacerbated this issue, forcing many older adults to isolate themselves and limiting their opportunities for social interaction. The loss of loved ones during this time has also contributed to feelings of grief and loneliness. “I retired at the height of the pandemic. With people already being isolated, it felt surreal to not have that work commitments to worry about” said Mr Debashis, a retired Gail employee. “While I did enjoy the notion of not working anymore, I felt a sense of lost purpose as well. I often felt listless spending time on social media, after a while the slow pace of life made me feel sad unfulfilled.” This is not an uncommon phenomenon, many students who have extended periods of breaks also feel a certain sense of depression and listlessness. To go from constantly working to not doing anything at all can be difficult for the mind to comprehend. Making The Best Of This SituationMs Khurana adds, "My observations as a therapist working with elderly clients have also led me to strongly believe that community-based activities and events for older adults would be highly beneficial in addressing feelings of isolation and a lack of belonging. Moreover, there must be a stronger push toward normalizing the use of mental health support and therapy services for older adults in India." It is crucial to help older adults maintain social connections to combat loneliness and improve their mental health. Encourage them to stay in touch with friends and family through phone calls, video chats, and social media. Additionally, involve them in community activities and volunteer work to foster new relationships and a sense of purpose. If an older adult is struggling with loneliness or mental health issues, encourage them to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. Lastly, utilize technology to bridge the gap between older adults and their loved ones. Teach them how to use video conferencing and social media platforms to stay connected and engaged.