Film on the subject of loneliness in old age: “In my four walls I am without a soul”

Loneliness can be a challenge in old age. The Family and Women’s Health Association is dedicating a film to the topic that can be used free of charge.

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A dreary, gray day. The music that accompanies the opening scene of “Loneliness Has Many Faces” contributes to the mood. Loneliness – a feeling that most people probably know. Romana Lanfranconi and Alexa Meyer, managing directors of the Family and Women’s Health Association, have focused on loneliness in old age in their documentary. “We wanted to deal with the topic of age and we got lonely with the board of directors,” explains Romana Lanfranconi from Lucerne, who is the director of the 34-minute film.

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In two years of work, a production has been achieved that shows the versatility of loneliness in old age. There is Carmen Combertaldi, who combines emptiness, narrowness and darkness with loneliness. “I’ll cry a lot at Christmas,” she fears. But crying is good. Or Marcel Senn, who describes the loneliness in the relationship with his demented wife Betty. “Betty should be able to stay here with me as long as I have the strength,” he emphasizes. Betty died this spring. It is all the more touching that the passionate painter did not withdraw his participation in the film.

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The Syrian Kurd Mohammed Malla is confronted with a different kind of loneliness. His family and friends still live in Syria. “I’ve gotten tough. That isolated me. When I’m in my own four walls, I’m without a soul, ”he says. Technology helps him, he can call his loved ones for hours free of charge, that helps. The technology also helps Sonja Ruckli. She likes to chat. She also got a cat. The animal lets loneliness take a back seat.

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Hans Häfliger would actually live with his girlfriend in Colombia. But an illness thwarted his plans. Back in Switzerland he is fighting for his health, his girlfriend is stuck in Colombia: “Every morning I sit on the bed and think: Is that all?” Only a few colleagues remained in Switzerland. Elisabeth Rudolf emphasizes that there are no operating instructions for getting old. «I’ve always lived with people. Now it has turned out that I live alone. I have to deal with that, like many other people, ”she says. When she is not alone in pain, she has enjoyed calm and depth, but when it is involuntary, she feels empty. You help with music.

Planned chat tables help

The seventh portrayed is Priska Tschupp, who will also take part on the podium after the film premiere. «It is not always easy to take the step outside. Sometimes I had the feeling that I didn’t fit in. You also have to get along with yourself first in order to be able to get along with others, ”she says when asked how those affected can establish contacts. The discussion with Magdalena Fuchs Genzoli, Severin Eggenschwiler, Simone Gretler Heusser and Barbara Hediger agreed: There are actually many offers, including low-threshold ones, in the city of Lucerne. “Perhaps the planned chat rooms will also help,” says Barbara Hediger, President of the Family and Women’s Health Association.

Although the panelists agree that there are many offers open to older people, the question remains how those can be reached who are already too afraid of social contact, have already withdrawn so much that – unlike the protagonists – they no longer trust a film premiere. Perhaps, like Mohammed Malla and Sonja Ruckli, the technology will help them: The film and the accompanying brochure are now available online free of charge. To make this possible, the association financed the project on a broad basis.

Tips against loneliness

With “Loneliness has many faces” they want to remove the taboo on the subject of loneliness in old age. Severin Eggenschwiler from the Health Promotion and Prevention Section of the Canton of Aargau is convinced that talking about this is already the first step. “You can show the film at conferences and use it for further training. We are also happy to accompany these events, ”explains Romana Lanfranconi. In addition to the film and the brochures, in which tips are given on how loneliness can be prevented or reduced, the initiators also provide the seven short film portraits and also provide the organizers with the press material and photos.

Note: The film and the materials are now available at www.einsamkeit-gesichter.ch to disposal.