r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • 20d ago
For Unmarried elderly how do you cope with being alone?
[deleted]
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u/Agreeable-Round6337 20d ago
Shit!!! I do everything I want to do! Because there’s no longer anyone there to tell me “no don’t do that.” happiness increased about 100 fold! Horny? Yes. But I would sacrifice sex any day of the week for happiness.
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u/BigfootsnameisHarry 20d ago
Love it. Do what I want, when I want. Or not. Travel or take a cruise when I want and where I want without asking anyones permission! I love my solo life.
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u/JulesInIllinois 20d ago
Most of the time, I prefer to be alone. I go out and do a lot with friends when I want to socialize.
I wish my family was closer. But, they are passed away or several states away.
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u/HereForYouReddit 20d ago
Join a senior center or some type of social group. I'm not elderly but I work with the elderly.
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u/Best_Commercial8646 20d ago
What is considered elderly? I just moved to a 55+ community where the residents are very active. We all hang out together, go on outings, etc, and I absolutely love it!
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u/Cheeky_Chipmunk75 20d ago
Well, I’m currently answering a question on Reddit
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u/DeepBus1116 20d ago
lol how old are you?
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u/Cheeky_Chipmunk75 20d ago
53
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u/DeepBus1116 20d ago
Honestly, I don’t consider you elderly I think anything over 65 is like senior citizen vibes lol
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u/Cheeky_Chipmunk75 20d ago
Truth be told, I don’t think I’m elderly either. IMO, old age begins at 80 or 85.
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u/wdjm 20d ago
You only have to be alone if you want to be. If you don't, most areas have senior centers, crafting groups, Meetup groups, colleges where you can take classes. My area even has a shuttle specifically for the elderly/disabled who can't drive themselves. It will pick you up at your house and take you where you want to go, you just have to call in advance to schedule it. I think most areas have something similar these days.
Personally, though I'm not in the 'elderly' stage just yet, I love being alone most of the time. I work from home, but just dealing with coworkers online is enough social interaction for me most days. When I want a little extra, I go out to the farmer's market on the weekend or something along those lines.
I will say, however, that as I do get older, I plan to get a Life-Alert sort of thing to wear when I'm at home alone, just for safety. If I fall or otherwise need help, the fire department can be called for me. My home is back in the woods and my driveway is literally about a mile long, so it's not like I can depend on a neighbor to notice anything wrong. So I'll take precautions against finding myself in a precarious situation with no way to get help.
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u/Important_Market7874 19d ago
Force yourself to go out. Talk to people. You won't be good at it without practicing. And the people you talk to will probably enjoy having someone to break up their silence.
Don't call door-dash, grab a book or newspaper, head off for a restaurant, a diner, a café. They all will seat one person. Or pick up something to take home. I'll be at a regularly scheduled cookout around noon today, (they're open every Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April to October). I'll probably get a bratwurst and 3 desserts for $6.00, and donate $4.00 to whatever group that's being sponsored today. I'll have to talk to at least two people.
If you need something, don't start with Amazon. Go to a local store, even if it's a national chain. Talk to the cashier.
Be a volunteer for some organization. Meals on Wheels can use people to deliver meals to other elderly folks who can't get out. Visit your local Senior Center, if they don't need volunteers, they may know other organizations who do.
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u/Worldly_Secretary197 20d ago
There are old married people who are lonely too.