Tessa Lorraine
"Home for the holidays" is a phrase filled with excitement and nostalgia. There are many ways we experience or experienced being/coming home for the holidays.
When we were young, parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins, and any number of family friends might join the family on Christmas morning or maybe even make it an all-day drop-in affair. As we built our own families and our kids were young it meant having all of them around the tree Christmas morning, maybe going as a family to sing carols or to a neighbor's house as an extension of engaging our community and extending our joy.
As years pass, families change, our living arrangements change, neighbors change, friends change, we can find ourselves alone on the holidays, being "home" with little or no social interaction.
The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control have recognized loneliness as an epidemic. The U.S. Census 2020 reports upwards of 27% of adults aged 65+ living alone. A 2024 Medicare study found 57% of those 65+ reporting feelings of loneliness and isolation. Thirty-five percent reported distance of family and friends as the main reason for isolation and 29% cited lack of social engagement opportunities in their community.
People are also reading... Napa teacher placed on leave again following 2022 Dixon incident Chicken Guy! scheduled to open Thursday in American Canyon Be Bubbly Napa to close downtown Napa space, refocus business 25 rescued Chihuahuas to find new homes, but not in Napa County Mayacamas Charter Middle School's test scores from first year prompts disappointment and tension at meeting Three arrested after robbery at Napa's Ulta Beauty store Battle drags on over day care center planned for Napa's Alta Heights area Update: No danger found after hazmat report near Napa High School, authorities say Three suspects in fatal Napa shootings plead not guilty Man arrested on manslaughter, DUI allegations after fatal Napa County crash CIF State 5-A Football Championship: American Canyon runs past Palmdale 68-47 for title 'Putting all the fish in a barrel': Moving begins at Napa's Kennedy Park homeless encampment BottleRock tickets for Napa residents go on sale Wednesday Saturday Napa Farmers Market canceled St. Helena's Flora Springs acquired by Gina and Jean-Charles Boisset
The Napa County Older Adult Assessment reports 21% of seniors feeling hopeless and 22% being isolated. These are common indicators of loneliness, especially around the holidays. The good news is there are organizations to help mitigate potential isolation and loneliness throughout the Napa Valley.
Dr. Amit Shah, geriatrician at the Mayo Clinic, describes loneliness as a "subjective feeling or perception when a person is not feeling connected to others. Social isolation is a lack of connection or engagement with others." People aged 60 and older are most affected by isolation and loneliness. According to Shah, "if you've fallen and you're socially isolated, how does anyone know that you were down if no one is checking in on you?"
The National Council on Aging recommends to following steps to address loneliness for yourself or your loved ones.
1. Make communication a priority. There are older adults in our communities who may go days without speaking to anyone. Napa Valley's own Molly's Angels offers a Care Calls program with "check-in" phone calls to reach isolated seniors. To arrange a weekly check-in call 707-224-8971.
2. Encourage and facilitate social activities through local organizations. Senior centers, churches and public libraries are a great place to start.
3. Explore hobbies and other areas of interest. There are book clubs, biking clubs, bridge clubs and all sorts of hobby activities available in our communities.
4. Identify opportunities to combat loneliness at any time. The Friendship Line, 800-971-0016, offers 24/7 friendly conversations and listening for adults 60+. A local option is the Warm Line. The Warm Line, 855-600-WARM (9276), offered through the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, is a 24/7 emotional support phone line offering counseling services. The term "warm line" refers to reaching out for help before rather than during a crisis.
The holidays can be both joyous and stressful. Isolation and loneliness can be particularly acute around this time of year. Please know there are services available.
To support our Upvalley senior community, Rianda House is open Tuesday, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon with a Holiday Open House. All are welcome. Please join us and let us welcome you home.
Tessa Lorraine is program manager at Rianda House. She holds a master's degree in gerontology and serves on the Napa County Commission on Aging. She lives in Napa with her beagle, Biscuit. To volunteer with Rianda House, call Tessa at 707-963-8555 ext. 103.
Catch the latest in Opinion
Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.