Just when you think the holidays are over we dive right back into another one! That’s right everyone, we are talking about Valentine’s Day! Some people think this hokey holiday is a waste of time or just a great reason to spoil your sweetheart. However, for some people it is a bittersweet day surrounded by mixed emotions. The buildup alone can cause anyone anxiety, especially seeing all of the sappy cards, overly affectionate couples and endless amounts of romance.

While many people still like Valentine’s Day, there are many who do not like this holiday. When you think of people who don’t like to celebrate Valentine’s Day, you might think of people who’ve had bad relationships or recent break-ups.  But there is another group of people who are not fans of the day – older adults.

As people older adults age, the changes of them enduring heartbreaks grows, making Valentine’s Day a difficult and emotional day. Whether they are remembering their departed spouse or struggling to get back into dating, this day can be difficult. When it comes to dating, studies show that finding love at 60 may be harder than finding love at any other age. Between the numerous obstacles in their lives, many older adults ask is it even worth it?

For seniors who spent a lifetime loving their spouse ad growing old together, Valentine’s Day can be very difficult. For someone whose spouse recently passed, seeing happy couples can bring back loving memories that can make healing from the loss of a loved one hard. The weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day can leave an older adult widow feeling anxious, upset or even depressed.

Caring People

For any older adults who do need someone to talk to, there are resources available.  One such resources is the Friendship Line at (800) 971-0016. The Friendship line is the Institute on Aging’s 24-hour toll-free crisis line for anyone who is 60 and older who needs to talk to someone.

Tips For Active Older Adults

For older adults who are not homebound, we have a few suggestions to make Valentine’s Day a little less lonely and to keep active. The following suggestions encourage new experiences which are great ways to get out to meet people and to help avoid isolation or depression.

New activities can include:

Continuing Education Classes

• Enrolling in a class to learn a new skill is exciting and can change your perspective on life. Visit your local Community College website http://www.cod.edu/ or see what your local park district offers http://www.discoverdupage.com/Sports-Recreation/

Take A Hike

• Enjoying the great outdoors can be a wonderful experience to clear you mind. Just make sure to check the weather conditions before you go and remember to hydrate! Find a park closest to you https://www.dupageforest.org

Senior Centers/Community Dining

• Search out activities at the local senior centers. Many communities try to keep their seniors active and social by scheduling events, mixers and socials. These are great ways for seniors to meet other seniors and to stay active. 

How DSCC Helps Seniors This Time Of Year

No matter the month, DSCC cares about our homebound and active seniors.

During this time of year, our volunteers see the difficulty of older adults living alone. We know that many of our home delivered clients or community diners have experienced the death of a loved one. For this reason, DuPage Senior Citizens Council offers parties and gathering throughout the year to help prevent isolation and depression in the people we love the most. Our Community Dining Service promotes socialization and a healthy mental health lifestyle.

Upcoming Events For Seniors

We have some upcoming events to help our seniors this month.

Valentine’s Day Party February 14
502 Meyers Road
Lombard, IL 60148
Party starts at 10:30.

Academy Awards Cultural Celebration
February 25th
Glendale Height Center For Senior Citizens
260 Civic Center Plaza
Glendale Heights 60139

For a list of all our events and community dining activities, check out our calendar or our community dining activities page.

Love can come in many different forms and may not always be romantic. Remember to give an older adult who’s loved one passed away a hug or hello and let them know they will never be alone, trust us it will make their day.