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May 4, 2023
May
BOONE COUNTY
SENIOR LIVING A MONTHLY FOUR PAGE SECTION FOR SENIORS
Coping With An Empty Nest Many people find it rewarding to start a family & raise children. Watching kids grow through the years & sharing in their experiences can bring life to a household. Mothers spend 18 years or more devoted to their children, & often their identities are defined as “Mom” above all else. As a result, it can be difficult to think about life without kids in the home & the emotions that resonate when that day comes can be overwhelming. Many parents feel a sense of sadness & loss when their last child leaves the family home. Referred to as “empty nest syndrome,” these feelings are not officially labeled as a clinical mental health issue, but they are very real for many people. While parents encourage their children to become independent & branch out in their own lives, not every parent can cope with an empty nest. The parenting & family resource Verywell Family states that mothers with empty nest syndrome experience a deep void in their lives that oftentimes makes them feel a little lost. Moms who are feeling the pangs of sadness due to an empty nest can employ some strategies to alleviate these feelings. • Keep friends close. Use this opportunity to spend more time with close friends & put yourself first. Schedule all of those activities you may have temporarily put on hold while caring for children through the years. • Make time for travel. New experiences can broaden anyone’s horizons. Travel as a couple or with a group of friends. Put the focus on fun & then share the experiences later on with your adult children. • Redefine yourself. The experts at Psychology Today suggest finding new roles & interests to explore, or spend more time exploring existing hobbies. For example, if you’ve thought about doing community theater, do so now that you have some free time. Or maybe you’ve always had a goal of going back to school? Now may be the time to make that happen. • Reconnect with your partner. Recall the years before you had children when it was only the two of you & devote time to making more memories as a couple. Plan date nights, go to sporting events, attend a summer concert, or pursue other shared interests. • Change things up at home. Turn children’s rooms into spaces you can use for your own interests. One can be a crafting room or a home office. Another may be a home theater. No longer labeling those rooms as the kids’ spaces can help the transition. Empty nest syndrome is real, but there are many ways to move past the mixed emotions synonymous with this phenomenon. SUNDAY, MAY 14TH
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THURSDAY, APRIL 20TH Door To Door Bus Service In Boone County
The Boone County Council on Aging picks clients up at their homes & drops them off at their destination. ANYONE can ride these buses. Door to Door Bus Service within Boone County is offered with a one-day notice. Call the Transportation number at 815-975-9059. A Medical Escort Van is also offered. The Council on Aging also has a Medical Escort Van to help with medical rides to Winnebago County. One week’s advance notice is required and there is limited availability, so call early. The escort drives you to your appointment, stays with you, & when you are ready, returns you to your home. The medical car is billed by mileage, which is $1 per mile. Fares for bus riders are as follows: Ages 12-59 $2 per trip; children (under 12 years) $1 per trip; adults 60 years & over donations gratefully appreciated. Ride service hours are Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM.
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