Isolation places seniors at risk for serious issues with their physical and mental health. Seniors who are isolated from others may begin to do things such as skip meals out of loneliness. They may also lose the motivation to stay healthy when they think nobody cares. Even seniors who are loved by many people can sometimes become isolated, and these strategies can help every older adult receive the socialization they need to feel cherished.
Identify Solutions to Challenges with Going Out
Seniors might become isolated due to challenges that are easily correctible. For instance, your aging loved one might decide to stop visiting friends if he or she is nervous about driving. Hiring a professional caregiver to drive to and from events may make your loved one more likely to go out and socialize. Your loved one may also have difficulty getting dressed or washing his or her hair. A professional home caregiver can provide hygiene care to help your loved one feel confident about his or her appearance in public.
Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Mississauga home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Utilize Online Communication
Seniors no longer have to feel alone when they’re at home. They can use online resources to stay in touch with other people. Show your loved one how to set up an online profile on a social media platform you know his or her friends and family use. As you do so, make sure to talk about online safety to avoid having your loved one become targeted by scammers. Then, encourage your loved one to respond to posts and share a few of his or her own on a regular basis to enjoy a quick boost of social activity during times he or she feels lonely.
Provide a Daily or Weekly Companion
Your loved one should ideally see or speak to someone every day. However, this might not always be able to be accomplished by just your family alone. Depending on your busy schedule, you might need to have someone stop by and eat with your loved one each day. Alternatively, your loved one may just need a weekly visit to fill in the gaps when you cannot be there. Either way, your loved one may grow to view his or her companion as a special friend to rely on for a good conversation.
Professional in-home caregivers make wonderful social companions for seniors. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in-care, Mississauga Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Find Things to Talk About
Speaking of conversations, your loved one may also find it intimidating to socialize when he or she lacks things to say. Seniors who are active during the day have more things to talk about, which can drive their interest in socializing. Help your loved one find hobbies or read news sources that provide interesting things to share with the people he or she interacts with. Your loved one can even take a class to combine the need for socialization with the need to have new things to say at social events.
One of the best ways to prevent isolation in seniors is to provide a trusted companion, and an in-home caregiver is the ideal option. Elderly 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. Call 905-337-1200 today to schedule a non-obligation consultation.