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Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 13, 2026 Savvy Senior SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 9 by Jim Miller Helping an Older Parent Cope with Loneliness Dear Savvy Senior, My 78-year-old father has lived alone since my mother passed away two years ago. He insists he’s fine, but I can tell he spends most of his time by himself and seems increasingly lonely and withdrawn. What can I do to help him, and are there any resources that could support him? --Worried Sont Dear Worried, You’re right to pay attention to this. The loss of a spouse often leads to increased isolation in older adults, even when they insist they’re fine. But long stretches without meaningful contact can take a real toll on both emotional and physical health. Public health research shows that about one in three adults age 50 and older reports feeling lonely at times, and those who live alone are at higher risk for social isolation. But loneliness isn’t always easy to spot, especially in older adults who live alone. The good news is there are practical ways to help your father reconnect, along with programs and services designed specifically for older adults living alone. What you can do Focus less on big changes and more on steady, predictable contact. A short call every few days, a standing weekly meal or coffee, or a regular shared errand gives him something to count on. Consistency matters more than length or intensity. Even if you’re not especially close, or don’t live nearby, steady contact can still make a difference. Technology can help bridge the distance through simple routines like weekly video calls, text check-ins, shared family schedules or photo threads. The goal isn’t constant communication, but fewer long stretches where isolation can quietly take hold. It also helps to widen his circle in practical ways. Siblings, grandchildren, neighbors and longtime friends can all play a role. Even brief calls, occasional visits or shared meals can slowly rebuild connection. Familiarity and repetition matter more than effort or duration. Encourage activity Staying active can help reduce isolation. Many communities offer exercise classes, hobby groups, church activities, volunteer opportunities and lifelong learning programs. The best fit depends on personality and whether your father prefers group settings or smaller, low-key interactions. If transportation is a challenge, helping arrange rides or connecting him with local services can make participation more realistic. Just as important is a sense of purpose. Volunteering, gardening, pet care, time with grandchildren, helping neighbors or mentoring others can all add structure, meaning and a reason to stay engaged. Available programs There are several well-established programs that can help reduce isolation among older adults. A good place to start is the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov, which connects families to local Area Agencies on Aging that can help arrange services like meals, transportation, home visits and social programs. Meals on Wheels America delivers home meals and often includes brief daily check-ins from volunteers, offering both nutrition and a bit of regular human contact. AmeriCorps Seniors (americorps. gov) runs the Senior Companion Program, where trained volunteers provide regular visits, conversation and light assistance, depending on what’s available locally. For phone-based connection, the Institute on Aging Friendship Line (ioaging.org/friendship-line) offers 24/7 support and scheduled checkin calls for older adults living alone, while DOROT Caring Calls (dorotusa.org/programs/caring-calls) pairs seniors with volunteers for weekly conversations based on shared interests. Local senior centers are also a strong resource, offering meals, classes, group activities and transportation in many communities. Libraries, churches and community organizations can provide additional low-pressure ways to stay connected. Signs to watch Loneliness can overlap with depression. If you notice changes such as poor sleep, loss of interest in usual activities, irritability, confusion or neglect of personal care, it may be time to involve his doctor. These issues are common and treatable. In the end, the goal is simply to help your father stay connected and reduce isolation. Start small, stay consistent, and those simple touchpoints can add up to a more connected and meaningful daily life. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. at First Congregational Church possible. We would like to give an extra loud Shout Out to Carl and Karen Spencer. It is the two of them that make the Pumpkin Patch possible. For several years they have spent countless hours ordering and selling pumpkins, arranging for volunteers, keeping track of daily sales, and many other duties that happen behind the scenes. This is our biggest fund raiser and without it our church would be in dire straits. While this is an all church effort, Carl and Karen make it all possible. Thank you, from your fellow parishioners at First Congregational Church.” From Jeanie Meredith: “I would like to give a huge shoutout to my coworker, Arianna Sargent, for the amazing Sesame Street design she created for the Town Manager’s Office for our annual Town Hall Trick or Treat! With very little notice, Arianna brought our vision to life, and her creativity and talent truly shined! She went above and beyond, and we are so lucky to have her. Arianna, your hard work did not go unnoticed, and Ryan Duggan gave a talk about Rumney Marsh for Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) at the Saugus Public Library on Nov. 9. He spoke about the ecological importance of marshes in general throughout history, and the significance to Saugus of tidal marshes for protecting coastal areas from flooding, providing marsh hay, as well as food and habitat for wildlife. He also mentioned the recent programs and activities from the Rumney Marsh Conservancy. Early in the morning on Wednesday, November 18, there will be a walk from 6:30-8:30 a.m. on the path. It is free. Participants should meet at the unpaved parking lot across from 114 Bristow St. in Saugus. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) we appreciate you! A heartfelt thank you to all the parents, grandparents, and guardians who brought their little ones to Town Hall. Seeing all the adorable, creative, and sometimes hilarious costumes was so much fun! The smiles, laughter, and excitement are what make this event so special. “This was our third year hosting Trick or Treat at Town Hall, SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 12 POWERS OF APPOINTMENT O ften times, an individual may wish to retain the right to control the ultimate distribution of assets held in a Trust. This is called a power of appointment. Powers of appointment are often included in Trust documents in order to create greater flexibility in a multigenerational estate plan. As an example, a husband may die leaving property in Trust for the benefit of his spouse. The terms of the Trust may provide that, upon the death of the surviving spouse, the remaining Trust principal will be distributed to the couple’s children. The terms of the Trust may also contain a power of appointment provision wherein the surviving spouse has the right to exercise this power of appointment via her Last Will and Testament thereby allowing her to redirect the ultimate distribution to only one child of the couple as opposed to all of their children and/ or the right to determine whether or not the Trust principal will be received outright or remain in further Trust. Another example would be if a daughter was named a lifetime income beneficiary of her parent’s living Trust. This Trust might contain a power of appointment provision allowing the daughter to exercise it via her Last Will and Testament. A specific provision must be included in her Will in order to allow her to exercise the power of appointment thereby appointing (distributing) the Trust principal in favor of her spouse, her children, or even a charity. As part of the estate planning process, it is important to determine whether someone holds any such power of appointment pursuant to the terms of a living trust (revocable or irrevocable) and, if so, to make sure that the power of appointment is exercised via the Last Will and Testament, if that person’s wish is to indeed exercise the power, or to at least confirm with the holder of the power that he or she does not wish to exercise the power. Clients would likely not even be aware that such a power might in fact exist pursuant to the terms of the Trust unless the estate planning attorney reviews that provision with them. A power that may be exercised via one’s Last Will and Testament is referred to as a testamentary power of appointment. The holder of the power is also called the donee of the power or the power holder. The exercise of the power of appointment would occur once the Will is submitted to a probate court and allowed. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation.

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