Spending time with friends is enjoyable, and seniors have a lot to gain from the social connections they keep or make in their golden years. The staff at Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of home care Anchorage families can trust, discusses a few reasons why maintaining close friendships in the golden years is a sound decision.
Health Accountability
Having close friends provides seniors with people outside of their families that care about their wellbeing. Seniors can encourage each other to stay on top of their health by attending medical appointments, and those with close friends are also more likely to exercise and eat right, which promotes better overall health.
Shared Happiness
Happiness is contagious, and your loved one needs friends to remind him or her of all the things that make life grand. From celebrating birthdays to emailing motivational quotes, a close friend can add happy surprises to your loved one’s life. Social connections can also reduce feelings of isolation and incidences of depression.
Cooperative Living
Today’s active seniors enter retirement with an array of skills and experience they can use to help each other. From installing grab bars in a bathroom to helping a friend prepare meals after a hospital stay, seniors stick close to their friends and make sure they are okay. In fact, having someone they can rely on helps seniors prevent injuries because they are less tempted to try to accomplish difficult tasks without assistance.
Exposure to New Ideas
No one wants to become stodgy in the senior years, and continuing to learn new things can provide your loved one with a mental boost that prevents memory loss. Conversations with friends are the perfect way for your loved one to hear about the latest news and health research. Since friends often share hobbies, he or she may learn new techniques for quilting, woodworking, or other sources of entertainment. This can result in a renewed sense of vitality that keeps your loved one’s mind sharp and his or her body healthy.
Sometimes a professional caregiver can also become a trusted friend. At Home Care Assistance, our compassionate caregivers make wonderful companions, providing emotional support and social stimulation while assisting with a wide array of daily tasks. We also offer specialized Parkinson’s, post-stroke, and dementia care Anchorage seniors can rely on. For more information on our in-home care services, call one of our friendly Care Managers at (907) 770-0907 to request a no-obligation consultation.