Friends and Neighbors,
There are an increasing number of people who live alone.
Don’t be afraid to knock on your neighbor’s door, or call or email someone you know might be alone this holiday. If you’re not able to sit for a cup of tea together, you might consider small moments of friendship shared by getting the mail, leaving a friendly note, or offering to help with a small service.

An estimated 800,000 people living with dementia are alone at home (source: 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures). This means they may also be traveling alone. Please keep a compassionate and open heart as you are traveling this season along the roads or in the airport and may see someone who needs help. If you know someone who lives alone with dementia, or a family affected by dementia, consider that you might commit to being a source of sustainable support in their life, on a level that you consider doable. Remember that the Alzheimer’s Association offers free 24 hour phone support, so you are never alone: 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900

Moving forward with a listening heart,
vision, inquiry, and action,
~ Mary