A surprising amount of seniors spend way more time alone than they ever expected they would. The big side effect of that fact is that they tend to deal with loneliness. Health issues, changes in their ability to socialize, and more all have a direct effect on senior socialization. Companion care at home is one way for seniors to improve their emotional wellness and avoid loneliness.
Loneliness and Senior Health
Among all of the various health issues facing seniors, loneliness is considered one of the silent epidemics. Chronic loneliness can lead to anxiety, sadness, and even depression. Seniors may start to withdraw emotionally from everyone around them, which affects mental and physical health. Extreme loneliness can even lead to cognitive decline, which is often a precursor to dementia. Higher stress levels and stress hormones affect the immune system as well as cardiovascular health.
Emotional Support is Very Important
Seniors need hands-on help when life is difficult, but emotional support is also important. Companion caregivers engage seniors in conversation and offer empathy in response to the problems seniors open up with them about. Seniors find a sense of connection and start to feel valued again, which improves mental wellness.
Socialization Helps Cognitive Function
Spending time around other people is incredibly helpful for cognitive function. Just talking to another person makes different areas of the brain fire up because seniors rely on memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive functions to have successful conversations. Seniors and companion caregivers also engage in activities together that also engage the brain.
Making Socialization Easier
Many seniors become lonely because it’s more difficult for them to socialize. Home care providers can help by making it easier for seniors to socialize with all sorts of other people. If seniors don’t drive any longer, for example, companion caregivers can help them to get where they want to be. When seniors can easily go to group activities and meet up with friends, that is a huge boost for their emotional wellness.
Boosting Physical and Emotional Health
Companion care at home can boost physical and emotional health in other ways, too. Seniors who have something to look forward to on a regular basis are more likely to be more physically active. They might be more inspired to clean up around the house for example, or they might want to go on walks with companion caregivers. All of this helps them feel better emotionally and physically.
Practical Tips That Help
If family caregivers are just opening up the conversation about loneliness and companion care at home, they might want to start out by talking to seniors about their lives now. Asking what they enjoy and what they don’t about what is going on currently can help family caregivers make suggestions. Offering the idea of companion care at home as something seniors can try out for a little while can make the idea feel a little less intimidating.
Loneliness has more far-reaching effects than just making seniors feel emotionally bad occasionally. It can affect seniors on multiple levels, even damaging their health. Companion care at home is an easy solution that helps seniors avoid isolation and may even help them make a few new friends.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home in Carl Junction, MO, please contact the caring staff at Adelmo Family Care today at (417) 206-4576
Adelmo Family Care provides exceptional home and facility care for seniors, disabled adults, and their families in Joplin, Webb City, Carthage, Duquesne, Neosho, Carl Junction, Lamar, Newton County, MO, Jasper County, MO, Pittsburg, KS, Riverton, KS, Crawford County, KS, Cherokee County, KS, and surrounding areas.
To provide the safest and most qualified caregivers, John felt it was important to properly screen and train caregivers before they were invited into the homes of the families being care for.No caregiver is introduced to a client before being taught the Adelmo Standard.
Adelmo is German for Noble Protector, a name that projects what Adelmo Family Care strives to be. It is our goal to protect our elderly from having to move somewhere they do not want to go, while remaining safe, secure and independent.
Care is our Product and Independence is our Goal.We are there for you when you need to have some help to continue to live independently, at your direction, in your home. We will work with you to get you as fit as possible so you may become completely independent once again, if at all possible.
We provide compassionate care, a watchful eye and a helping hand to our clients and their families.
We can't wait to meet you!
Adelmo Family Care is a member of the Home Care Association of America, The Senior’s Choice, The Webb City Chamber of Commerce, The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and several local senior committees.
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