One of the most severe health risks for seniors living alone is loneliness. Research shows that loneliness can cause severe mental and physical health problems for seniors. And more than a quarter of seniors are considered to be socially isolated. Many more could be experiencing the effects of loneliness but don’t report their experiences, so they aren’t counted in the research.
Family members of seniors are in a challenging position when it comes to combatting the loneliness that their senior parent is experiencing. Adult children of seniors may live too far away to be able to visit often. And children who live locally still have to work, take care of their kids, and fulfill other responsibilities, so they probably don’t have as much time as they’d like to spend with their senior loved ones. Some things that seniors and their families can do to combat loneliness are:
Companion Care At Home
Companion care at home gives seniors the companionship and social interaction they need to fight loneliness. With companion care at home, adult children with a senior parent don’t need to worry about their senior loved one being alone all day. Companion care gives your senior parent someone to watch TV or movies with, talk with, eat with, go places with, and do activities with. If your senior parent has recently lost a good friend or a spouse, companion care can help fill the void of that loss so that your senior loved one isn’t struggling with being alone.
Nightly Phone Calls Or Video Chats
You may not be able to visit daily, but you can call or video chat with your senior parent daily. A quick phone call or video chat after dinner or before bed will give your senior parent the chance to talk with someone about their day and feel like someone cares. And you will get to check in with your senior parent and ensure they are doing ok. And you can phone or video chat from anywhere, so you don’t need to be close by to stay connected.
Adopt A Pet
Pets bring so much joy and love into a senior’s life. Many seniors worry about adopting a pet because they are not sure they can take care of it. But home care can help ensure that the pet gets proper care if that’s a concern. And the joy, love, and companionship pets bring can help seniors fight loneliness and find purpose. Shelters are full of senior pets who want a home filled with love where they can nap all day.
Find A Video Game
Video games are a surprisingly great source of social connection for seniors. From investigative to fantasy games, there is a wide variety of video games where players interact in real-time. Players also work together to solve puzzles and go on quests. Seniors are one of the fastest-growing groups of video game players because the games offer mental stimulation and social connection.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Companion Care at Home in Tolleson, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings for Seniors Companion Care at (623) 594-0819.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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