Have you said one of these statements?  

• “I feel so alone and isolated.”
• “I miss my friends”
• “I miss my spouse”
• “I would give anything to step back in time and enjoy the holidays of the past”
• “I feel so disconnected from everyone and everything”
• “ I am lonely and sad”

For caregivers, feelings isolated and lonely is a common complaint I hear and what I experienced quite often myself and a lot during the holidays.  You feel isolated and withdrawn from your family, friends and your daily routines.   You most likely had to replace time with caregiving duties or you stay behind from activities since your spouse can’t go.  

Some of my very dark, lonely days were 

• New Year’s Eve with my spouse going to bed at 8pm since he had his chemo treatment that day.  
• Working from home - I made the decision back in December of 2017 so that I could be closer to home 
• Declining weddings, dinners and special occasions knowing Denis wouldn’t be up to it. 
• and now add the 2020 pandemic to that mix.  

In a recent June 2020, National Center for Health article. 

• 43.7%, of caregivers reported moderate loneliness (almost half)
• 17.7% reported severe loneliness. 

In a AARP report 

• Overall 50% of caregivers were being diagnosed for depression. 

This can lead to a withdrawal from social activities and relationships that you previously enjoyed. You may also find that you’re literally facing isolation. 

I saw this in my Mom caring for my Dad back in 2017-2018.  She didn’t leave his side much and I was over 250 miles away.  The only interaction she had was by phone, an occasional visitor when my Dad was up to it and a quick run to the grocery store.   The nights were the hardest.

I am sure lonely feels are present for you too.  

So let’s...