The way many people get lonely when they age is not pretty to watch at all. It's not only a loneliness that's caused by the inability to physically go meet people. It can be an intense, debilitating loneliness in the mind where they might feel unable to find any connection, +

even with their own selves. When your own mind becomes unreliable and cannot be trusted, what do you do? And when you cannot express the emotions you feel because you feel there's no way anybody can consistently help you through it all with dignity. I've watched at close +

quarters several seniors dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia, and it's heartbreaking how few support systems exist in our family systems and society to give them companionship, reassurance and reasons to live. They plod on in a fugue of confusion and fear; it's heartbreaking.

Keeping a keen eye on my father, who seems to be sliding down the slope to feeling isolated. It's especially challenging in a pandemic, where even going for walks, exploring the neighbourhood and talking to acquaintances are fraught with risks.

Also worried about my next-door neighbours. An old couple with several health issues who stay shut in and just watch TV all day. The uncle still expects the poor aunty to cook and serve. I've seen her sitting in their living room and just staring at the wall as time passes by.

They don't know enough about tech to seek out information. They rely on TV, newspapers and WhatsApp for all their news. There's mixed messaging everywhere and a lot of it is terrifying. It's an extremely confusing time for them. But they can't reach out to others because

they're scared of being a burden.

This entire thing of life and reasons to live having more value in the productive, promising young is so unkind when the young grow old. Worse for seniors with disabilities. Such an inhospitable world we've created for our own futures.