Losing interest or pleasure in activities or people that once gave you enjoyment, may be due to overworking or relationship problems. However, a loss of interest in many things or people, that is ongoing, can sometimes be a sign you have a mental health condition.
As our family, friends, and loved ones age, there may be times when it seems they have lost all interest in life. They may complain all their own friends and loved ones have passed away and they are lonely. They may focus on the activities they are no longer able to do and feel incomplete or unfulfilled. They may no longer have a job or goal that motivates them and feel as though they lack purpose or direction. When working to help an elderly loved one who is experiencing feelings like these, the most important thing to remember is that a loss of interest in things is not a normal part of aging, and there are many things you can do to help your senior loved one find purpose and motivation. You can try to schedule time in your day or week to stop by and visit the elderly. If this is not a workable option for you due to your other life commitments or the elderly family member is just too far away, you can look into local programs that can drop in and visit in your stead. Having a friendly face nearby can help your elderly relative feel more motivated to interact socially and stave off loneliness.
