Loneliness and depression is a severe epidemic in America - especially among the elderly. According to a recent study by JNHR, loneliness is incredibly common in institutional settings and associates with psychological well-being as well as increased mortality.
According to Ulrich Kellerer, a simple act like story telling in a reading group can help.
Kellerer has seen first-hand how reading to and exchanging stories with the elderly can enhance health, happiness, and longevity. After frequent visits to see his mother in the nursing home, he discovered the loneliness and depression problem that challenged many of the residents, despite the facility's quality care. To brighten the scene, Ulrich began a reading group where he shared the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, Mark Twain, and other attention grabbing short stories. These visits became the most anticipated event on the nursing home’s calendar as they brought charm, entertainment, physical assistance, and encouragement to a small audience who averaged 83 years of age.
I had a chance to interview him to learn more.
Loneliness and depression is a severe epidemic in America and Ulrich Kellerer is helping people fight this battle through sharing stories. Kellerer has seen first-hand how reading to and exchanging stories with the elderly can enhance health, happiness, and longevity. After frequent visits to see his mother in the nursing home, he discovered the loneliness and depression problem that challenged many of the residents, despite the facility's quality care. To brighten the scene, Ulrich began a reading group where he shared the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, Mark Twain, and other attention-grabbing short stories. These visits became the most anticipated event on the nursing home’s calendar as they brought charm, entertainment, physical assistance, and encouragement to a small audience who averaged 83 years of age.
- How can sharing stories combat depression?
Depression has a profound negative impact on physical and mental health but sharing stories brings people together. It promotes health and longevity because connecting over the shared human experience gives a sense of well-being. By telling stories you are connected with the community and you give a big part of yourself. If other people listen to you and you to them it is the best way to communicate to each other.
- How can younger generations connect with older generations in their family?
Connecting with the elderly can start simply by initiating conversation and showing interest. Ask your grandparents (or elderly friends, relatives etc.) story-prompting questions about their life like “Do you remember your first kiss?” or “What was your childhood house like?” It feels good when someone is interested in your life and stories. One idea is to ask questions in an interview style and record it. (Wouldn’t it be cool to one day have your kids listen to your grandma’s stories from the 1920s?!) Of course, if you plan to record anything you must ask their permission first!
- How can volunteering foster links between non-related people of different generations?
Volunteering your time with the elderly teaches you about compassion, care, and the value of life. Spending time with non-related people of different generations provides a different vantage point than doing the same with your own relatives. You learn to be humble and thankful that you are in better conditions than these people.
- What are the benefits of connecting with the community through volunteering?
The benefit of volunteering is that you get so much more back than you give. It transforms you and you are part of a bigger thing than yourself.
ABOUT ULRICH KELLERER:
Ulrich Kellerer is a talented storyteller, book writer and inspirational speaker from Munich, Germany. For over 20 years he has worked in the fashion industry for the brand CLOSED, a leading European fashion company for women’s and men’s sportswear, and his own company Faro Fashion. Ulrich is the co-author of the latest book The Soul of Success with Jack Canfield. Kellerer’s upcoming book, One Moment Can Change Your Life: Extraordinary Stories about Ordinary People came to fruition since reading for charity every week in a nursing home, where he lost his mother three years ago.
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