Senior Sunrise

After my father passed away last year, living independently became increasingly difficult for my mother. So, a few months ago, my wife and I invited her to come live with us. She immediately began to show more zeal and energy. However, while my wife and I went to work each day, she was left to her own devices around the home and was often bored.

It was evident that something needed to be done, but I had never been faced with this sort of quandary before, so I did what any modern American would do and turned to the internet. In a short time I found a senior day care center near our home. While the moniker may deter some people, these facilities provide a much-needed service; they offer seniors a place to congregate during the day and keep entertained with their peers, who often have similar interests.

When children grow up and leave the house, some parents experience what is known as empty nest syndrome. It is marked by a general feeling of loneliness and isolation by the parents. While studies have indicated that it is most often associated with mothers, it has been seen in both sexes and, as such, can definitely affect mothers and fathers alike. While many parents who are going to experience these feelings do so when the child first moves away, there are also reports that these feelings can return when the child is married.

In both instances, the role of the parent is reduced in the child’s life. The parent is no longer immediately needed or involved in the child’s life, and this is often seen as the root of the syndrome. Some have argued that it’s more common now than ever because the extended family has slowly been removed from western society, meaning elderly parents are often left living alone. There are several senior solutions that can help, including exercise, taking part in community events, and planning family get-togethers and reunions.