From increasing the risk of dementia and rehospitalization to boosting anxiety and stress, loneliness and social isolation can have a tremendous impact on the health and wellbeing of older adults. While many factors contribute to isolation in seniors, there are ways you can help your aging loved one become less isolated and more engaged.
Treat Incontinence
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a fairly common problem in older adults. If your loved one has incontinence issues, he or she may become increasingly isolated because of the potential for embarrassing situations. But with medication and UI supplies, seniors can remain socially active with fewer risks.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Anchorage, AK, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s
Encourage Vision/Hearing Exams
Some seniors become isolated because of undiagnosed vision or hearing problems. If you notice your loved one having difficulty seeing or hearing, encourage him or her to get appropriate examinations. These issues can often be effectively addressed with common treatments such as cataract removal, properly designed glasses, and hearing aids.
Make Eating a Social Event
Older adults may be able to combat isolation by periodically sharing in group meals at local churches, community centers, and senior centers. Another option is to plan group dinners or brunches where everyone brings healthy dishes or chips in to help with the cooking and cleanup duties.
A home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support for a senior who’s at risk for isolation. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably
Suggest Attending Worship Services
If your loved one expresses an interest in going to religious services, offer rides or arrange for assistance from an in-home care agency or local senior ride service. When your parent gets into the habit of regularly attending services, it can also allow the other attendees who often see your loved one to let you know about signs of physical or mental changes they might observe.
Consider Pet Adoption
Seniors should get about 150 minutes of exercise per week to remain healthy. A way to achieve this goal and get more social interaction is with a pet that needs to be walked on a regular basis. A pet can also provide companionship during times when your loved one is alone. Just make sure your loved one is capable of caring for a pet first. If not, another option is pet therapy.
Look for Signs of Depression
Not all seniors are in the habit of openly expressing their feelings, especially if they’re still mourning the loss of significant others or facing other issues that affect their outlook on life. Signs of depression in older adults include:
- A loss of interest in things they previously enjoyed
- Unexplained issues with fatigue or sleep habits
- Changes in appetite
Suggest New Hobbies
Older adults sometimes become isolated because they’re having a difficult time going from the regular routines they followed when working to having more time on their hands. If you suspect this is what’s affecting your loved one, suggest exploring new hobbies or getting back to activities he or she previously enjoyed. In some cases, this may mean making appropriate modifications.
Explore Tech-Based Communication
If your loved one is isolated because friends or family members are no longer nearby, teach him or her how to use social media, text messaging, and other tech-based forms of communication. Such methods can be combined with in-person interactions to minimize isolation.
Social isolation can result in mental, emotional, and physical challenges, but seniors don’t have to manage them alone. In Anchorage, senior care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (907) 770-0907 today.