Question 

My mother shows all the signs of loneliness.  She does not have friends, and she seems to count the days and hours until she sees one of her children.   

Mom is a friendly person and easy to get along with. She recently moved to the small town that we live in to be closer to us after dad passed.  So, she left her connections with friends and neighbors behind.  

Mom lives in an additional dwelling unit on our property.  We are in the downtown area, so she is not isolated out in the country.   

I am wondering what I can do to speed up the process of helping her to meet other people in our area that are also in their 70s? 

Answer 

Moves like she has made can be isolating for anyone at any age.  It is even harder if you are not working, where there is instant human contact from the time you start work until you leave for home, at most jobs that is. 

You did not mention any physical limitations which will make the process of getting to know people in your town a bit easier.  Unless your small town has a large elderly population with most of them being transplants, she will face an established network and limited opportunities.  That does not mean it cannot be done. 

The quickest way to meet others with similar interests is to find a volunteer post that suits her interests.  If she likes cats and dogs the humane society is usually looking for volunteers.  Almost all nursing homes and hospitals have volunteer opportunities.  Even the local fire department will have volunteer options.  Simply walk into any of those establishments and ask if they would like a volunteer.  Even if she only volunteers twice a week, she will meet people and those interactions will give her plenty to think and talk about. 

Another option is to pick up a part-time job downtown that brings her into contact with other people.  It does not matter what the work is or what it pays.  She is using the job to feel part of her community.  It is likely the quickest way to engage with others.  A public facing job will offer the most opportunity, but any job will connect her to others in your town. 

Getting out and about each day is another way to interact with others.  She should be the one that goes to get groceries, that takes packages to the post office, plants flowers, and that walks to town on errands each day.   

If you have a dog, she should be the dog walker once a day.  Walking a dog is a wonderful way to meet people.  If you do not have a dog, find out if one of your working neighbors would like her to walk their dog while they are at work.   

All communities have gathering places. Churches offer many opportunities for people to socialize.  Another option is to attend town meetings. They may be a tad bit boring as they discuss the width of roads and potholes, but they offer a great way to meet the locals.  It will take a number of meetings before you get to know anyone, but eventually she will become a fixture.  All towns have voting places which are usually staffed by volunteers.  Check out if she can sign up to assist in elections.   

Getting to know the locals does take a bit of time.  One advantage she has is that you live in the same town and know the landscape.  Pick just one option that was mentioned to try each week.  She is sure to land on something that engages her and helps her to make some new friends.  I wish you success.