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Show notes:



John Swinton, Dementia: Living in the Memories of God. (William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2012). The following are affiliate links for your shopping convenience.



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 Contact Irwin at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])



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Reflection Questions from Part 1 https://forms.gle/fohRMokUQSCtujG58



Listen to Episode 1 "Life Lessons I Learned from Mom's Dementia": https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ip9m2-1... (https://na01.safelinks.protection.out...)



Transcript of this episode:



Welcome back to The Loneliness Project, a podcast dedicated to overcoming loneliness as we enter our later years. This is Part 2, titled End of Life and Loneliness: Hard Truths and Real Hope.



My name is Irwin, and as Rita mentioned, I am doing this project as part of my master's degree in Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care. Thank you so much to those who listened to the first episode! I truly appreciate your support.



I also have a very short questionnaire that I sent to my mailing list. If you're not on that list, you can join via the show notes or send me a message on social media, and I'll send the questions your way. As a small thank-you, I’ll be sending a Starbucks card to a couple of randomly chosen responders. Your feedback means a lot to me, and I will respond to some of it in Part 4.

Recap of Part 1


Before diving into today’s discussion, let’s briefly revisit the last episode. We talked about the definitions of social isolation, loneliness, and solitude, and why addressing loneliness among older adults is so crucial.



I asked some key questions:




• Where do you see yourself on the continuum between loneliness and solitude?


• How do you perceive your alone time—do you enjoy it, or does it leave you longing for companionship?


• Do you feel lonelier when alone or when you’re with certain people?


• Can you move from loneliness to enjoying or enduring solitude? Can you build resilience?




These are not easy questions, and there are no simple answers. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I do have insights and practical strategies that I will share in Part 3. In Part 4, we’ll explore theological hope, because I truly believe that hope exists through Jesus Christ.

End of Life and Loneliness


Today, I want to focus on loneliness near the end of life. This isn’t an easy topic—certainly not dinner table conversation—but it’s important to acknowledge the realities that we or our loved ones will face as we age.



The choices we make in midlife significantly impact how we thrive in our later years. My insights come from my studies, research, and personal observations with older adults inside and outside of care homes.



I’ll be covering three key areas:




1. Loneliness and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)


2. Loneliness and Dementia


3. Loneliness and Spiritual Distress at End of Life


Loneliness and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)


Requests for MAiD have increased since its legalization in Canada. While reasons for seeking MAiD vary—from unbearable pain to not wanting to be a burden—loneliness plays a significant role, even if indirectly. Emotional loneliness can intensify the experience of suffering, making it feel unbearable and hopeless.



As Christians, our response must be sensitive and compassionate, even when we hold strong convictions. Jesus is present even in suffering, offering meaning in what can seem hopeless. While we may not always change someone’s mind about MAiD, we can offer a loving presence and companionship.

Loneliness and Dementia


For this section, I am especially indebted to John Swinton’s book, Dementia: Living in the Memories of God. Swinton highlights that loneliness is a central experience for many with dementia. Studies show that lonely individuals are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, and loneliness in midlife increases mortality risk and health complications in later years.



One study found that loneliness before age 70 correlates with a higher risk of dementia. More concerning is that it’s not the actual level of social isolation, but the perception of loneliness that has the greatest impact.



Lonely adults are also more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as excessive alcohol use, smoking, and lack of physical activity.



This can feel overwhelming, but knowledge empowers us to ...