Aging Mom May be Assertive and Independent – And Lonely

Women tend to live longer than men. It’s been that way for many, many years – at least here in the United States. So it isn’t much of a surprise that in the 2010 Census, 53,364 people age 100 and older in the United States were counted, and they were overwhelmingly female.

The U.S. Census Bureau created a graphic – the age-sex pyramid – comparing the ages and sexes of the population in the years 2000 and 2010 based on census data. It very clearly shows the decline in persons aged 30-45 and the increase comparable increase in persons aged 45 – 65. Not only that, but it shows the skew to the female side as the population ages.

Women, especially the Baby Boomer generation tend to be more assertive and independent. That could translate into difficult conversations when age begins to slow her down and the need for an extra hand becomes evident – to everyone except her.

A strong-willed mother can be exasperating for her children. She may even know she needs help but just doesn’t want to give in – or give up. In fact, in a study from the University of California, San Francisco it was reported that there is a definite correlation between loneliness and poor health. Patients described feeling “out of sync” and disconnected. Part of the reason patients give is that they “don’t want to bother anyone.”That is what a woman who has always been self-sufficient and independent would think.

Not wanting to bother anyone includes family members and while a strong-willed mother wants to be independent and self-sufficient, she may also feel alone and isolated – and won’t tell anyone.

A good transition step for lonely or aging seniors is a daily call from a Keeping in Touch Solutions Care Caller. The inexpensive program provides a valuable tool that provides care givers peace of mind and seniors a social interaction to reduce the isolation and loneliness.

A daily check-in call could be the lifeline, the joy you give someone that makes the biggest difference in their perception of what old age is like.

Contact me at 317-480-1038 today. Let’s make a difference together.

I’m Diana Beam, Founder of Keeping in Touch Solutions. It is my heartfelt desire for every person to live a happy and healthy life in the place they call home, no matter what their age. You can’t put a price on peace of mind for your parents and yourself. It’s priceless . . . and significant.

For that reason, the goal of every Keeping In Touch Solutions program is to provide a caring connection and service that both the elderly and their caregivers can rely on to make living that good life easier.