It’s easy to get busy with our daily lives and lose track of time. Which means it’s also easy to forget how long it’s been since we’ve had a visit with the elders in our lives— family members, neighbors, senior acquaintances and others.

But while you’re running from task to task, checking items off your to-do list, many seniors are struggling with loneliness and isolation.

“Seniors who have persistent feelings of loneliness have increased risks of depression and lower sense of well-being,” says Dr. Dan Trajano, senior medical director at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Loneliness is more dangerous to your health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is associated with increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and death.”

Celebrate Valentine's Day by picking up the phone and calling a senior friend or loved one. Or, better yet, drop by and stay for a cup of coffee— you might not only make their day, but their entire week.

Risks for loneliness

Dr. Trajano points to the epidemic of loneliness— Blue Cross recently conducted a statewide survey and found that as many as one in four seniors reporting spending a holiday alone and more than 40 percent of seniors reporting feeling lonely on a regular basis.

Risk factors include living along, being widowed/divorced, a lack of social groups, recent retirement, fewer friends, strained relationships, recent illness, physical impairments and disability.

To help alleviate isolation and loneliness, Dr. Trajano offers a “friendship prescription” to seniors:

• Find ways to make connections with people – join social groups, volunteer, go to senior centers, participate in exercise classes, invite someone over for coffee.
• Check out local community centers and Blue Cross Retail Centers (in Roseville, Edina and Duluth). Blue Cross Blue Shield also partners with the Minnesota Area Agencies on Aging to offer a variety of classes such as balance exercise, ballroom dancing and senior yoga.

“These are excellent opportunities for members to socialize, learn about healthy living and stay physically active,” says Dr. Trajano.

For those with senior friends, relatives and neighbors, be intentional about connecting with them. Invite them to social events, make time to visit or even just pick up the phone to chat. It can make a huge difference.

Blue Cross volunteers combatting senior loneliness

One way that Blue Cross associates are doing this is through a volunteering program with Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly.

“We focus so much on the younger generation that we forget about the seniors in our lives,” says Andrea Gates, senior business systems consultant and Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly volunteer. “As volunteers, we are there to engage with them, bring them some joy, laughter, happiness—it gives them a sense of security, a place.”

“Blue Cross has a mission to improve the health of members and treating loneliness has tremendous impact on a person’s mental and physical health,” Dr. Trajano says.

So, this Valentine’s Day, pick up the phone and call a senior friend or loved one. Or, better yet, drop by with a Valentine’s card and stay for a cup of coffee— you might not only make their day, but their entire week and beyond.