Recently, I had the privilege of attending a Christmas party at John Wesley Villas, and it was incredibly beautiful to see everyone gathered together for a special event. The independent living cottages, and assisted living apartments with their grand lobbies, were festively decorated, and the glowing lights and aroma of food made the atmosphere so warm and inviting.

I couldn’t help but reflect on how COVID 19 took away our sense of community in so many ways… the quarantining and the fear created such divisions among us that we almost forgot what it feels like to spend quality time with friends who have become like family.

One of the most difficult aspects of aging is the fact that so many relatives and friends begin to pass away, and this natural cycle of life causes gaps that can be hard to fill. Or, maybe health issues cause them to feel they are safer if they choose to be reclusive. Most seniors would be honest and say that loneliness and depression are the two struggles they battle more than any other. These emotions and feelings affect all of us at one time or another, regardless of our age, but COVID created an even deeper sense of loneliness that pervaded our lives and profoundly affected our senior population.

 So, what is the key to helping those who face loneliness?

 It is a question that scholars and doctors of this world have pondered. For me, the one key that helps more than any other – is my faith, and for all those of us who believe, having a Savior who promises never to leave or forsake us, is the greatest cure to loneliness. Serving Him with our lives gives us great purpose.

In addition to faith, we have family, and no matter who grows up and moves away, or whose soul departs for heaven, we will always spend time with those we love when we can. And if we can’t be with family? Then that is when people can bond with their work families, church families, and neighborhoods. Spending time with those who encourage and help us in the tough times gives us such strength.

How can you encourage someone?

• Go out for coffee with that friend from college.
• Take your neighbor to that movie matinee.
• Hang up those Christmas lights for that widow at your church.
• Bake those sugar cookies for that naughty neighborhood boy with the wild hair who always runs through your flower bed.

We all need people in our lives. God created us to be social. The emptiness that loneliness causes can be avoided, but we have to make the choice to engage. We all desire those friends who cry with us on the sad days, rejoice with us in the happy moments, laugh over our eccentricities, and pray with us on the dark nights.

Senior living communities like John Wesley Villas provide a haven for seniors who need that sense of community in their lives again. I spoke with a few residents that live there recently, and so many of them commented that their favorite things were having a book club with their neighbors or eating in the community dining room with their friends, or putting together a craft for the holidays… it’s the simple pleasures of life that fill their hearts with joy. It’s the companionship that motivates them to stay healthy and active and engage in fun activities…that sense of belonging with others who care about them and help each other through life’s struggles.

We all need a community, and if you have not found one yet, we’d love to invite you to ours. John-Wesley Villas has amazing events and you are welcome to come. Make new friends, create a craft, enjoy one of the many musical concerts we host each year. There are so many fun activities to choose from!

Do not be lonely this upcoming year when there are so many others who could draw strength from your friendship!

   By Jessica Guthery, Business Support Administrator for Rauls Living