Some seniors are at high risk for loneliness, isolation, and depression, which can significantly impact their overall wellbeing. If you have an elderly loved one and you’re concerned about his or her emotional health, here are some suggestions to help him or her ward off loneliness.
Visit Regularly
Visiting your loved one in person gives you the chance to see what’s going on with him or her, and it prevents loneliness. Frequent contact provides the interaction your loved one needs. If you’re unable to make in-person visits, consider connecting through video chats. A video chat gives you two the opportunity to share stories, read books, and watch films together. Thanks to modern technology, your loved one can speak with family members and friends in other cities and states as often as he or she would like. Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs assistance with daily activities and keeping loneliness at bay.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Embrace In-Home Care is a leading home care service in Green Valley provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Utilize Community Resources
Most communities have senior centers that provide activities such as games, dances, and luncheons that can prevent boredom. If your loved one is hesitant to visit local centers or join in community activities designed for seniors, encourage him or her to at least give them a chance. They provide great opportunities to connect with other people and build social networks.
Provide Transportation Options
One of the primary causes of senior isolation is a lack of transportation. Seniors who can no longer drive need new ways to get around so they can remain self-sufficient. Increase your loved one’s opportunities to socialize by presenting various options for transportation. For instance, there are many affordable forms of public transportation your loved one can use, or you can hire a caregiver to take him or her to social events.
Green Valley elder care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Get a Pet
Seniors who have pets have been proven to be more social and less likely to feel depressed. Owning a pet means your loved one is responsible for another life, which can provide a greater sense of purpose, and feeding a pet and taking it outside throughout the day can help your parent remain active. A pet also offers unconditional love and companionship that can boost your loved one’s emotional wellbeing.
Suggest Dining in Groups
In a research paper titled “Food and Eating: An Anthropological Perspective,” anthropologist Robin Fox suggests eating is a social activity because the food itself is shared among people and mealtimes provide opportunities for groups to come together. Seniors who eat with friends and family members on a regular basis are less likely to be lonely. These occasions can give your loved one the chance to talk about issues he or she might be facing and get things off his or her chest.
Encourage the Use of Assistive Devices
Walkers, hearing aids, and wheelchairs are all great examples of how technology can help seniors on a daily basis. As seniors age, they often lose the ability to perform certain movements and other physical functions, which can make socializing more challenging. By providing the tools your loved one needs, you can help him or her maintain independence, remain socially active, and prevent loneliness.
Hiring a professional caregiver is another way to prevent your loved one from spending his or her days lonely and bored. If your elderly loved one needs Green Valley live-in care, turn to Embrace In-Home Care. We offer a program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to focus on eating nutritious foods, exercising on a regular basis, maintaining strong social ties, and other lifestyle factors known to increase longevity. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (520) 625-2050.