Isolation of Retirement

Isolation, or loneliness can stem from many different causes. Some people may value privacy for brief periods to work, rest or think undisturbed. However, we tend to think of isolation, or loss of social contact, for prolonged periods of time. Not only are social contacts important, but having something to occupy your mind, keeping busy, stimulates the sensory system and will help prevent anxiety, illusions and other distorted perceptions, even time itself.

In retirement, social isolation can readily set in, if allowed, especially for people who live alone. The work environment was exclusively their outlet for attention and support. Unmarried retirees face the ‘going alone’ challenges whether checking out new activities or establishing new acquaintances. One reported female retiree became quite active in volunteer and church activities, travel, and part-time neighborhood work. Yet, all these contacts were not even remotely linked and inadequate for the cohesive network she needed. Ultimately, the person in this case still perceived her situation as deficient and devoid of people.

Men may confront an even harder time in adjusting to retirement’s automatic retreat from active life. For them, who were once accustomed to being independent, the providers and achievers, it becomes necessary to redefine self-worth. Again worth repeating, staying active is a key to coping best with retirement. Hobbies, part-time work, volunteering, and self-enrichment courses will obviously help, but they might not be the end-all as cited above.

As people advance in age, their mobility to keep in contact with friends and family is diminished. Some people are not good at maintaining a social network, although men are more susceptible to this. Solitude is not particularly attractive in post-retirement. Do what you can to invest in a solid life-line of family, friends and community.