enrich

(verb) improve the lives of

EXAMPLE: Getting a good education enriches your life because you understand the world around you better.

housebound

cannot leave the home

EXAMPLE: After the accident, the man was housebound for a year until he recovered fully.

innovative

using new methods or ideas

EXAMPLE: Now I understand why the boss hired the new employee. She has lots of innovative ideas. This will help our company be more profitable!

isolated (adjective)

isolation (noun)

to be separated from other people

EXAMPLE: Beth went to a university in another state, far away from her family. She had no friends at first and felt isolated. After a few weeks, her situation improved.

satisfaction

a pleasant feeling from getting what you want

EXAMPLE: She worked very hard and got an A in her college course. She smiled with satisfaction.

stimulated

feel interested and excited

EXAMPLE: Elderly people need to feel stimulated. If not, they may fall into depression.

anxiety

the feeling of being very worried

EXAMPLE: When her husband lost his job, Anita felt a lot of anxiety. She didn't know how they would pay their bills.

chat

(verb) to talk with someone in a friendly way

EXAMPLE: While I am waiting in line to checkout, I like to chat with the person in front of me. It's a nice way to have some social interaction.

combat

(verb) to stop something unpleasant or harmful from happening or increasing

EXAMPLE: Let's do what we can to combat loneliness in our apartment building. Let's greet each other and chat when we have time.

depression

feeling very unhappy for a period of time, or a mental illness that makes you feel very unhappy

EXAMPLE: After my father died, I went into a depression for 6 months. I didn't want to see my friends or do anything that I normally enjoy.

in exchange for

giving one thing and taking one thing

EXAMPLE: My daughter traded with her friend. She got a used cell phone in exchange for her bike.

It's worth noting . . .

it would be useful or valuable for you to think about this

EXAMPLE: If you want to improve your English quickly, it's worth noting that you can practice anytime in Burlington English and MobyMax.

keep someone company

to stay with someone so that they are not alone

EXAMPLE: I have lived alone for the past 7 years. I love it when my niece visits. She keeps me company on rainy afternoons.

loved ones

your very close friends and family

EXAMPLE: On my birthday, I like to spend the day with my loved ones.

pair (noun)

pair (verb)

(noun) two things that look the same and that are used together, or two people who are doing something together

(verb) to join or connect to form a pair

EXAMPLE: They have been married for 30 years. They are a really happy pair.

The volunteer was paired with a patient.

retire

to leave your job and stop working

EXAMPLE: When Marcella turned 68, she retired. She got her first job when she was 18. When she retired, she had already worked for 50 years!

senior

an older person

EXAMPLE: This apartment building is for seniors only. Either the husband or wife has to be at least 65 in order for the pair to live here.

suffer from

to have an illness or other health problem

EXAMPLE: My uncle suffers from diabetes. He has to check his blood sugar level regularly and give himself shots.

the unemployed

people who are unemployed as a group

EXAMPLE: There is a new community center downtown. It is a place where the unemployed can meet and get help with their resumes, interviewing skills, and the job search.

traditional

following the customs or ways of behaving that have continued in a group of people for a long time

EXAMPLE: We are having a party this weekend for my friends who come from all over the world. Each person is going to come wearing their traditional clothing. And I am going to serve traditional food from my country.