Silent suicide: The fatal combination of old age, loneliness and loss

[no_hypocrisy]

8. I belong to the Ethical Culture Society. A great many members are over 70.

Some are married; some are widowed. Belonging to our community gives them options regarding socialization. For one thing, we have dinners maybe once a month. (We're all foodies.) When someone loses a spouse, we come together to support the surviving member. The survivor rarely drops out and rejoins and remains active.

Here's a prime example of how we continue to support our older members: A woman in her late 80s had to move out of her house and into an adult community about 45 minutes away. She liked her new home but missed Ethical. I have volunteered to drive out to her in order to allow her to attend a platform once a month. And same thing for festivities, parties, community dinners. She became more verbal and looked forward to these activities. Right now, unfortunately she is dying. Other members and I have regularly visited her and support her daughter who is taking care of her.

Trust me, she is not alone.