No doubt about it, these are strange days for most of us. COVID-19 is changing daily life very quickly and on a global scale. Naturally, when the rest of the world seems crazy, home is where we feel most comfortable and safe.

If you're homesharing or have roommates, shelter-in-place can be stressful—even for the best of friends and most loving of family members. But the truth is, you and your roommate must rely on each other more than ever right now—you’re in it together, quite literally!

Here are our tips for making this time at home with your roommate(s) as smooth as possible.

Many Americans face loneliness and isolation every day. Adult children may live across the country. Friends and neighbors have moved or passed on. It’s hard for fiercely independent people to reach out for support and senior services—especially if they don’t even know those support networks and services exist. 

Maybe you identify as a Baby Boomer. You might have kids in Gen X. That young person at the coffee shop is Gen Y. Don’t you sometimes think all of these generational labels just serve to keep people apart? 

For a multitude of reasons, our friend circles tend to shrink throughout our adult lives, particularly in the later years. At the same time, we know social and community connections are critical contributors to our health and happiness. Senior industry expert and author Joy Loverde joins us for a conversation about why—and how—to make and keep new friends as we age.

COVID-19 has given new meaning to the idea of empty nest syndrome. Millions of families have been in isolation together, and while proximity can cause us to drive each other crazy, the pit that opens up when it ends can be even more painful.

For the parents and grandparents who have relished having kids and grandkids at home again during the isolation period, going back to "normal" may come with feelings of loneliness or sadness. If you are struggling with empty nest feelings as a result of your quarantine household disbanding, know you are not alone.

This is my third go-round with being the long-distance sibling and I’ve learned quite a bit. Frankly, I made every mistake you could possibly make. And I know most of the experts!  So here are my personal tips on how to navigate the waters when you visit. Some of these may seem silly, but with family members – particularly your siblings – little things can turn into big issues really quickly.

We hear in the news and during conversations with friends about companionship and how important it is in our older years. Sure, it's great to have conversations with your new housemate or friend over morning breakfast, but what else does companionship do?    

When military members serve their country, they have a brigade, a battalion, a shipmate, a battle buddy and many other forms of community and connection. But after they hang up their beret or Kevlar, they have a different battle to fight: loneliness.