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This holiday season: Ways to decrease isolation

Posted 12/10/21

Local Valley nonprofit Duet: Partners In Health & Aging is teaming up with board certified life coach Rebekah Keizer to beat the blues this holiday season.

“Even during the cheer and …

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Adults

This holiday season: Ways to decrease isolation

Posted

Local Valley nonprofit Duet: Partners In Health & Aging is teaming up with board certified life coach Rebekah Keizer to beat the blues this holiday season.

“Even during the cheer and busyness of the holiday season, the reality of loneliness and limitations due to family circumstances, health and Coronavirus can be isolating,” says Keizer, “Our goal is to give people some practical tools to help their loved ones this holiday season.”

Keizer will delve deeper into isolation during a two-hour free webinar event 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 11. The webinar, which places an emphasis in kinship caregiver, family caregivers, and homebound adults, is open to all adults who could benefit from receiving the tools to boost their emotional wellbeing.

The webinar will address causes of isolation, how to reach out to others and ways participants can decrease isolation with and without social distancing.

According to an AARP national survey of adults aged 45 and older, more than one-third of American adults reported being lonely. Among these respondents, rates of occurrence were higher among individuals facing challenging life circumstances like the loss of a loved one, ongoing illnesses like diabetes and catastrophic illnesses such as heart attack or cancer, according to a press release.

Here are some tips to decrease isolation during the holidays:

  • Find a new hobby with local or online groups that allow you to meet new people.
  • Utilize support groups to connect with others who may face similar situations, such as family caregivers.
  • Connect with your neighbors and take a moment to chat outdoors.
  • Prioritize your self-care by getting moving outside, eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep.
  • Make a plan in advance for holidays that feel particularly isolating to you.
  • Allow yourself moments to feel sad or grieve the passing of a loved one or situations that make you want to self-isolate to begin with.

A 2015 survey found that health risks associated with loneliness and social isolation can increase mortality risk substantially. Feeling along can increase the risk of death up to 26%, social isolation can increase it by 29% and living alone can increase the risk of death by as much as 32%.

To take part in the workshop, email Duet kinship care coordinator Lisa McCormick at mccormick@duetaz.org.

Duet helps homebound adults who can no longer drive fight isolation by matching them with compassionate volunteers who provide vital free-of-charge services including grocery shopping, rides to medical appointments, and friendly visits.

They also have virtual and in-person support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren and family caregivers available year-round to help beyond the holidays. With Duet you are not alone in your journey.

Learn more about Duet at www.duetaz.org.