Hadar Swersky on How to Deal With Loneliness at an old Age

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, etc. are known as the leading causes of health decline. Isolation and loneliness can be linked to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions. At times, feelings of loneliness are heightened if seniors have had to separate themselves from dear ones. But, there are a range of methods on how to decrease social isolation. While it is not fair to assume that all seniors who live alone are lonely, at times living alone can result in social isolation and loneliness.

Loneliness is proven to have negative effects on health, like:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Anxiety
• Weakened immune system
• Cognitive decline
• Depression
• Alzheimer’s disease 
• Death

Hadar Swersky says that you may not be aware of resources or activities designed to battle loneliness. Loneliness is something that must be treated as a mental, physical, and spiritual concern. With the significance of relationships in mind, following are some ways to manage lonesomeness.

• Even though it might be hard, it is essential to create some sort of structure in your everyday life. At times people find themselves bound to couches and beds, but taking some time out of your day to be productive can help you feel a sense of “normalcy.” Try to set an alarm and wake up at a sensible time. Start your day off with a plan and an idea of things you can attain. If you need to fill up your schedule, attend a virtual exercise class, try to do yard work, play a game, read a book, or cook a meal. Whatever you select to do in your day, make sure it is something you enjoy. 
• In the age of social media, searching for ways to connect is easier than ever before. If you have found yourself missing dear ones, schedule a video call with them. You can share stories of the past and any of your favorite memories. There are many games you can play with your friends and family on video call too. 
• Seniors can even attend a free virtual class or workshop. Classes can vary from support groups, with people who are searching to chat about their lives, to more active classes, like aerobics or exercising. To learn more about the resources in your region, reach out to a family member, friend, community leader or your doctor. They can likely suggest some options that would work with your schedule and interests.
• Trying something new can be entertaining and thrilling. A lot of older adults enjoy trying things like knitting, gardening, learning an instrument or arts and crafts. Now is the time to investigate headfirst into learning something you might have never had the time to do before.
• Many people like to be imaginative as they get older. Whether it involves performing music, writing books, or painting art, creativity is something that makes the mind happier. This is one part of dealing with loneliness that many seniors enjoy. A creative person is always someone who thinks more about the several great things one can do. You should think about being a little more creative in your life as well. You can attend an art or music class where you can learn how to play an instrument or how many key principles of artwork.

Hadar Swersky says thatloneliness and depression should not be a burden to your life as you age. Just go through the above-mentioned points and you will feel better about yourself.

5 Creative Ways to Help an Elderly Person Feel Less Lonely

Loneliness can be a difficult emotion for everyone to handle, but it can be especially difficult for elderly people. Without typical social contact, elderly people can feel isolated and disconnected from the world around them. 

Fortunately, there are several creative ways to help an elderly person feel less lonely. Whether it’s finding ways to keep them connected with the outside world or giving them a reason to look forward to the day, these five ideas can help an elderly person feel less isolated and more connected to the world around them. 

1. Regular Visits

Regular visits can be a great way to help an elderly person feel less lonely. Whether it’s a weekly visit or a daily visit, setting up regular visits can give someone a reason to get out of the house and feel connected to the outside world. Whether you want to visit an elderly person you know in a nursing home, a person you know that lives alone, or an elderly person in your neighborhood, regular visits can help an elderly person feel less lonely and more connected to the outside world.

• Take Them Out

For many elderly people, staying inside their homes is a regular occurrence. With health issues, the weather, and other factors keeping them inside, an elderly person may not get out enough to feel connected to the outside world. Taking them out regularly can help them feel like they’re part of the world around them. Whether it’s going out for coffee or to a museum, taking them out regularly can be a great way to help an elderly person feel less lonely and more connected to the outside world.

• Connect Them With Technology

For many elderly people, the computer or smartphone may have been something they relied on as a regular part of their life. With the rise of internet use and the popularity of many technology-driven activities, it can be a great way to help an elderly person feel less lonely. Whether it’s taking part in a forum, chatting with friends over the video, or connecting with family members through social media, connecting with technology can be a great way to help an elderly person feel less lonely and more connected to the outside world.

• Get a Pet

For many elderly people, loneliness can be a struggle to overcome. As a way to help an elderly person feel less lonely, getting them a pet can be a great idea. Although they may not feel like they have the energy or time to care for a pet, a cat or dog can be a great companion and help an elderly person feel less lonely as a result.

• Join a Group

For many elderly people, a source of loneliness may be a lack of social interaction. Although they may have family members or other loved ones, not everyone has that and many elderly people feel isolated as a result. Joining a group or club can be a great way to help an elderly person feel less lonely. Whether it’s a book club or gardening club, finding a group of people they can connect with regularly can be a great way to help an elderly person feel less lonely.

Health Effects of Loneliness in Older Adults

The health effects of loneliness in older adults are well known. But what causes loneliness in older adults? Research into older people suggests that some factors are more likely to trigger loneliness than others. Among these factors are social isolation, decreased income, loss of family members and decreased mobility. Moreover, the level of loneliness was found to be more closely related to baseline poor health than to social isolation. While these associations were weaker for depression, arthritis and mobility impairment, loneliness was still associated with multiple disease outcomes.

However, the prevalence estimates of loneliness in older adults differ from study to study. Although the prevalence of loneliness in older adults is high enough to justify interventions, the estimates vary from one study to the next, likely due to the different sample populations and measurement approaches. Thus, further research is necessary to improve the reliability and validity of loneliness measures. In the meantime, future studies must develop ways to maximize comparability among loneliness survey questions. The two most frequently used loneliness scales are the dJG Loneliness Scale and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. While both scales have been proven reliable and valid, the multidimensionality of the two scales in older populations must be addressed. Harmonization efforts may make these tools more easily comparable.

One approach to reduce loneliness and social isolation in older adults is heterogeneous interventions. These interventions are delivered either in a care home or community setting. They can also be delivered one-on-one or in groups. The study design should match interventions to the population. And, although many studies have proven that they work, they are not universally effective. In addition to being generalizable, they should be tailored to each individual’s needs.

Researchers have identified that loneliness is a major risk factor for many diseases. A systematic review of loneliness research shows that older people who report feeling lonely are more likely to suffer from mental and physical ailments. Despite its health effects, however, research on loneliness in older adults still lags behind. The researchers conclude that further research should focus on determining the risk factors that make older adults lonely. The researchers also suggest that loneliness interventions can help improve the quality of life of older adults.

Previous studies have identified a link between social support and loneliness. Research has shown that aging adults who are socially isolated may benefit from social connection interventions, while those without cognitive impairment or dementia may benefit from a multifaceted approach. There are many social-cognition-related factors that can influence loneliness, and these factors are also thought to affect cognitive functioning. The next step in reducing loneliness in older adults is research that uses multi-faceted interventions. Researchers have discovered that loneliness affects the body in a similar way to chronic stress. Loneliness raises levels of stress hormones, which impair immune responses and lead to inflammation. The prolonged loneliness in older adults may make them more susceptible to a variety of chronic health conditions, including depression, cardiovascular diseases, and depression. Moreover, loneliness has been associated with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. So what causes loneliness in older adults?

Tips for dealing with loneliness with seniors

Elders’ mental and physical health suffers as a result of loneliness. Take action if you’re concerned about your aging parents or another family member. Many simple things may make seniors feel less lonely; one person can begin the process. Here are some recommendations for helping a lonely loved one, according to Hadar Swersky, Co-founder and chairman of the Age group:

• Pay attention.

Listening to a person is sometimes the best thing you can do for them. Simply being present and listening to your loved ones can help them feel less alone. Ask inquiries and encourage your loved one to speak up. It may not come naturally at first, but your eagerness to study will pay off in the end.

• Come up with a plan.

In addition to listening, spend time learning about your loved one’s hobbies and developing a plan to include them in daily life. If your significant other enjoys music, take them to a concert or encourage them to join a community chorus. If that’s too much for you, simply taking an hour out of your day to do something fun with your partner might have a significant impact.

• Make a new hobby for yourself.

Learning new skills is the best method to keep your mind young, according to Hadar Swersky, Co-founder and chairman of the Age group. Encourage your loved one to take up a new hobby or activity to stay active and meet new people. Joining a book club, forming a knitting circle, or attending weekly programs at the community center are all suggestions.

• Bridge the gap

Finding someone to connect with for elderly parents and those who are lonely may not be as difficult as they believe. One of the best possibilities is to connect your loved one with younger relatives. Spending time with grandparents, nieces, and nephews may teach them a lot, and it can also help your loved one feel more involved in family gatherings.

• Attend a class or a talk.

Encourage your loved ones to get out of the house and meet new people by enrolling them in a class or seminar while they are still ambulatory. Check if your community center or institution provides any free senior programs. Inquire about the library’s planned activities.

• Someone needs to get instructed.

If a class is a too much commitment for your loved one, have them teach you something instead of enrolling in one. Solicit a lesson from your loved one based on what you’ve learned from listening. All offered is sound advice and expertise. That will help find meaning in life and restore some child-parent relationships. It can be lost when children become carers for their aging parents.

• Return your favor.

Volunteering has numerous physical and mental advantages for lonely seniors. Volunteering keeps the brain engaged in addition to increasing physical activity. Participating in meaningful activities can reduce the incidence of dementia and physical health issues in seniors, according to the National Institute on Aging. Furthermore, it will allow your loved one to leave the house and participate in a community.

How loneliness can affect the elderly adults in a negative way?

Among the numerous health concerns that can ensue seniors, loneliness is one of the most frequent and least discussed. With aging come a number of factors that add to isolation and loneliness, such as the deaths of partners and close friends, family members moving away, and the start of incapacitating illnesses. Worse, loneliness itself can cause a number of health-related problems for seniors, including depression, increased risk mortality, dementia care, cognitive decline, high blood pressure, and a number of other conditions.

The biggest contributing factor to senior loneliness is living alone. But, there are several other factors that can lead to isolation and loneliness in seniors. These factors include:

• Children moving away
• The death of one’s spouse
• The deterioration of a friend network (often due to death)
• A change in living environment
• The fear of going out and incurring an injury
• Illness (particularly dementia)
• The fear of becoming a burden
• Difficulty communicating (i.e. language barriers and hearing problems)

Each of these factors can result in increased loneliness in seniors. Increased loneliness can, as a result, lead to a number of serious health effects.

• Enhanced Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

As a mental condition, loneliness has a number of negative effects on mental health. In seniors, these effects are mostly seen as cognitive decline and the onset of several forms of dementia. Loneliness is a risk factor for, and may contribute to, faster cognitive decline, poorer overall cognitive performance, and the onset of dementia.

• Reduced Physical and Mental Health

Loneliness has a direct connection to both physical and mental health and this connection is not a good one. Seniors who feel lonely and isolated are more likely to report also having poor physical and/or mental health. While the link between loneliness and overall health are still being explored by the medical community, one thing is clear: Loneliness has a harmful effect on health in a number of ways.

• Increased Risk of High Blood Pressure

It has been found that loneliness in older adults an increase systolic blood pressure over a 4-year period. These increases in blood pressure were independent of ethnicity, race, gender, and other possible contributing factors.

With the negative health effects of loneliness now clear, it is evident that addressing loneliness is essential in maintaining the health and well-being of any senior individual. In many cases, the first step to addressing loneliness is recognizing it. If you believe that a senior in your life may be struggling with loneliness, search for these signs and symptoms:

• Loss of interest in hobbies, socializing, or other daily activities
• Sadness or feelings of despair
• Sleep disturbances and memory problems
• Lack of energy or motivation
• Neglect of personal hygiene and other routines
• Unexplained or aggravated aches and pains

While loneliness can be detrimental to health, it can also be alleviated through a number of activities and treatments. For most seniors, the increased presence of people is all that is required to alleviate loneliness. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including scheduling regular outings and visits with friends and family, volunteering, attending senior activities in the community, and making the move to an independent or assisted living community.

Hadar Swersky – The Common Symptoms of ADHD and How They Can Affect People

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a developmental brain condition that affects the manner that a person processes emotions, thinks, and replies to the environment. ADHD are at times diagnoses during childhood, usually in school settings where symptoms of the condition like anger issues, problems with behavioral control, inattention and distractibility are most evident. There is no known cure for ADHD, but a number of options can help your child manage their symptoms.

Treatments vary from behavioral intervention to prescription medication. In maximum cases, medication alone is an efficient treatment for ADHD. It is usually diagnosed in childhood, but symptoms of ADHD can carry on unrecognized through adulthood and adolescence, so it might not be diagnosed for the first time until someone is an adult. Hadar Swersky says with appropriate treatment, children and adults with ADHD can live highly productive, successful lives.

• People with ADHD mostly struggle with impulsiveness and hyperactivity, though they might also have some symptoms of inattentiveness. Hyperactivity comprises constant movement and excessive fidgeting and talking. In adults, this might take the form of exaggerated agitation and an activity level that other people find tiring. Impulsivity comprises making significant decisions and taking action without thinking through the consequences, particularly when those actions might be detrimental or harmful and the resulting effects long lasting.

• People mainly have symptoms of inattentiveness, though they may also have some problems with impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Inattentiveness is characterized by struggling to stay focused, being distracted from the task at hand easily, and a lack of persistence or organization. This can result in professional and personal difficulties due to a lack of attention to detail and failure to make social functions, meetings, and significant deadlines.

• People in this group have symptoms of impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness. Most kids have this combined type; but the most common symptom of ADHD in preschool-age children is hyperactivity. Kids who are hyperactive may squirm, talk excessively, and fidget, and have trouble sitting still. In childhood, impulsivity can take the form of disruptiveness, impatience, and intricacy waiting for a turn. Inattention can comprise difficulty daydreaming following instructions, absentmindedness in daily activities, and problem focusing. In adults, ADHD symptoms may take the form of frequent interrupting, impulsiveness, inability to concentrate, restlessness, a lack of organization and follow-through, frequent mood swings, difficulty meeting deadlines, and problem coping with stress.

Experts are not sure what causes ADHD. Research proposes that the disorder has a neurobiological basis and a genetic component. Neuroimaging studies using magnetic resonance imaging scans to look at brain structure have found neural circuits related to ADHD. These circuits are associated with control of inhibitions, sustained attention, regulation of emotions, and motivation. Hadar Swersky says not all people with ADHD show the same circuits or changes in circuits, but several differences are more common in people with ADHD than those without it.

Hadar Swersky – Foods to Avoid If Your Child Suffers From ADHD

To discover more about a diet for ADHD, speak with your child’s doctor about the benefits and drawbacks of experimenting with a diet that avoids food additives to see if it improves your child’s behaviour. Ensure that your doctor or an ADHD dietician is involved in the diet plan’s supervision. A diet that cuts out too many foods may be unhealthy because it lacks essential vitamins and nutrients. Continue reading for a list of foods that may get linked to the symptoms of ADHD.

• If you’re on A Diet for ADHD, Stay Away From Candy

Candy is high in sugar and artificial colors, which is terrible for kids with ADHD. In studies, both of these core components have got proven to exacerbate ADHD symptoms, particularly hyperactivity. Candy is a contributor to ADHD due to its high sugar content and artificial colouring.

• ADHD Dymptoms Get Caused by Sodas, Caffeine, and High-Fructose Corn Syrup

If you have ADHD, you should avoid soda. (Avoiding soda is an excellent idea even if you don’t have ADHD.) These drinks frequently contain many of the same sugars and sweeteners that make candy unsuitable for children on the ADHD diet. Other components in soda, such as high-fructose corn syrup and caffeine, aggravate ADHD symptoms. Excess sugar and caffeine use can produce hyperactivity and easy distraction. According to a 2013 study, 5-year-olds who consumed sodas were more likely to exhibit anger and social disengagement.

• Frozen Fruits and Vegetables Could Make ADHD Symptoms Worse

Although fruits and vegetables are ideal for an ADHD diet, some frozen types have artificial colours, so read the labels carefully. For another reason, according to Hadar Swersky, some frozen meals can aggravate ADHD symptoms. “Foods treated with organophosphates for insect control have got found to create neurologic-based behavioural issues that mimic ADHD and many other behaviour problems.”

• Teens’ ADHD Symptoms May Get Aggravated by Energy Drinks

Kids, particularly teenagers, are getting more interested in energy drinks. Sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colours, caffeine, and other stimulants are among the elements that might exacerbate ADHD symptoms. According to Hadar Swersky, “energy drinks are high on the list of factors that cause youth to demonstrate behaviours that mirror ADHD.” They don’t belong to an ADHD-friendly diet.

• Inquire With an ADHD Dietician About the Benefits of Eating Fish and Other Seafood

In the long run, eating fish and other seafood containing trace quantities of mercury can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Shark, king mackerel, swordfish, and tilefish are among the worst offenders. Mercury is hard to digest, similar to cellulose and can build up in the brain over time. “This has the potential to cause hyperactivity.” Discuss the best types of fish to include in an ADHD diet with your doctor or an ADHD dietician.

• Food Sensitivities Could Be the Cause of ADHD Symptoms

When children with food sensitivities get exposed to certain foods, they often develop ADHD symptoms. Milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges are some of the foods that can trigger ADHD symptoms.

Hadar Swersky on Understanding ADHD in Girls & in What Way it is Different

Girls develop in a different way than boys. These differences are not just associated with how their bodies develop. They can also be seen in how their brains develop and grow. These developmental differences can make it difficult to assess whether a girl is dealing with ADHD. ADHD is a brain disorder characterized by patterns of impulsive behavior or inattention. This behavior can interfere with day-to-day activities.

Hadar Swersky says that as the symptoms of ADHD are different in girls, most girls are not properly diagnosed. This can stop girls from getting the help that can positively enhance their lives. It is estimated that as many at 50 to 75 percent of cases of ADHD in girls are missed.

The most common symptoms associated to ADHD is hyperactivity. Fidgeting, hyperactivity, and the inability to sit still are typical behaviors for boys dealing with the disorder. This is not always the case for girls with ADHD, though.

The below-mentioned behaviors may indicate ADHD in girls:

• frequent crying, even from small disappointments
• talking all the time, even when parents or teachers ask them to stop
• trouble paying attention
• constantly interrupting activities or conversations that include their friends
• having a messy bedroom, desk, or backpack
• frequent daydreaming
• problem finishing assigned work

Girls may also be affected by ADHD if they suffer from:
• stress
• low self-esteem
• depression
• anxiety

It’s not known why ADHD presents in a different way in girls. These differences make the disorder difficult to diagnose in girls. At times, people recognize the symptoms but ignore them. Due to their varied nature, these symptoms may be written off as immature behavior or attributed to another disorder.

Hadar Swersky says that girls are diagnosed with ADHD on five years later than boys — boys at age 7 and girls at age 12. There are several girls who never get diagnosed. In fact, research indicates that up to 75 percent of girls with attention problems are undiagnosed.

As girls often show different signs of ADHD than boys, it is important to know about the different ways kids can act out and which of these behaviors tend to get unnoticed. That awareness can help girls with ADHD get the help they need faster.

Keep in mind, if your child has ADHD, getting a proper diagnosis can improve their chances of better mental health, better grades, and better personal relationships. Even though there is no cure for ADHD, the right combination of treatments can assist your child to live a healthy, happy, and productive life.

How Does A Person With ADHD Think by Hadar Swersky

ADHD brains contain low levels of nor-epinephrine, a neurotransmitter. Dopamine and nor-epinephrine go hand in hand. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that enables supervision of the bonus and happiness headquarters of the brain. In the Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder brain, activity in four functional areas of the brain is impaired. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder brains contain low levels of nor-epinephrine, a neurotransmitter. Hadar Swersky has also mentioned this.

Impulsivity alludes to acting without deduction first. Impulsivity in an individual who has consideration for the shortage hyperactivity problem (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is almost certain to proceed into adulthood. Individuals with manifestations of impulsivity regularly are anxious about hanging tight or holding up in line.

In this article, we will discuss how the person with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder thinks.

The majority of adults with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have always been aware that they think differently. Parents, professors, bosses, wives, and friends warned them they didn’t fit the mold and that they had to shape up quickly if they wanted to create a name for themselves.

Hadar Swerky has said that people with a neural system that is Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are excellent problem solvers. They delve into situations that have perplexed others and likely arrive at a solution. They are friendly, charming individuals with a sense of humor. When people become addicted to an issue, they tackle it with one approach after another until they master it and then they may lose interest when the subject no longer presents a challenge.

The universe of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is curved. Past, present, and future are inextricably linked. Everything is finally in place. Individuals with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have a difficult time learning from the past or seeing into the future to recognize the implications of their actions because they live in the now.

ADHD can feel like an itch that has to be scratched, but it’s only in the person’s head and sometimes Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might make the person nervous about seemingly insignificant chores.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is more than just a lack of concentration. It can damage their short-term memory, capacity to listen, and fundamental task performance, and in maturity, it can lead to despair, anxiety, addiction, and relationship problems. According to recent research, people with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have smaller brains in various sub-cortical locations. This shrinking of the brain can be seen in both children and adults, and it causes a variety of symptoms.

Shame emerges for persons with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder when they repeatedly fail to satisfy the expectations of their parents, instructors, friends, bosses, and the rest of the world. By the age of ten, children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are projected to have received twenty thousand more negative messages than positive messages. They see themselves as essentially broken and profoundly different. They’re not like the rest of us.

When people with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder experience guilt, they tend to retreat inside themselves or hide behind wrath directed at the source of the negativity. This could explain why people with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are hesitant to let others get to know them or see how they live.

Hadar Swersky Shares the Common Symptoms of ADHD in Kids

ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect a kid’s success at school, as well as their bonds. The symptoms of ADHD differ and are sometimes difficult to recognize according to Author Hadar Swersky. Any child can experience many of the individual symptoms of ADHD. Thus, to make a diagnosis; your child’s doctor will need to assess your child using several criteria.

Some of the Common Symptoms of ADHD are as follows:

Kids with ADHD can have trouble waiting their turn during classroom activities or when playing games with other kids.

A common sign of ADHD is what looks like an incapability to recognize other people’s requirements and desires.

Children with ADHD frequently cannot sit still. They might try to get up and fidget, run around, or squirm in their chair when forced to sit. Self-focused behaviour can cause a child with ADHD to disrupt others while they are talking or butt into conversations or games they are not part of.

A child with ADHD can have trouble keeping their emotions in control. They may have outbursts of anger at unsuitable times.

Fidgetiness can make it hard for kids with ADHD to play silently or engage in leisure activities calmly.

A child with ADHD may have trouble paying attention when a person is speaking to them directly. They will say they heard you, but they would not be able to repeat back what that person just said.

A child with ADHD may show interest in several different things, but they can have issues finishing them. For example, they may do chores, start projects, or homework, but move on to the next thing that catches their interest prior to finishing.

This same lack of focus can cause a child to avoid activities that necessitate a sustained mental effort, such as paying attention in class or completing homework.

A child with ADHD will show symptoms of the condition in more than one setting. For example, they may show a lack of focus both in school and at home.

All children are going to exhibit a few of these behaviours at some point. You can consult with them in case you find most of these symptoms in your kid.

Hadar Swersky says that ADHD is treatable. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, evaluate all of the treatment options. Then, set up a time to meet with a doctor or psychologist to find out the best course of action.