Seniors and Social Isolation

Poor health outcomes in seniors have been linked to social isolation and loneliness. Making sure that your senior has a social life is essential emotionally, physically, and mentally.

How to Avoid Social Isolation

Social isolation and loneliness can affect your loved one’s vitality and mental abilities. Plus, dementia and Alzheimer’s can develop because of the contributing factor to decreased social activity. Without social interaction, your senior can become withdrawn and uncommunicative.

There are ways that you can help your loved one to connect with friends, make new ones, and have social activities. Below are some suggestions that may be helpful to you:

• Encourage positive self-image: As your loved one ages, they may start to fret over the effect of aging and the changes in their appearance. These worries could cause them to become self-conscious to the point where they don't want to go anywhere. Giving compliments on a new outfit, a favorite color they're wearing, or their hair can boost the self-esteem of your senior.
• Encourage vision and hearing testing: If your family member has begun to lose sight or hearing, encourage them to have testing done. If they have an undiagnosed hearing problem, then they may not want to out because of difficulty in hearing conversations around them. Not being able to see correctly may cause fears of falling or not recognized people when meeting them.
• If there is an incontinence issue: If your loved one has an incontinence issue, then they could be embarrassed when in a social situation. By having the proper medication and supplies, then your family member can go to a social function and not have to worry about embarrassing their selves.
• Make transportation available: Many seniors lack transportation, which is one of the main issues of social isolation. Help your loved one become independent by looking into special transportation options for seniors. Many communities provide transportation to the store, doctor appointments, and even to the mall. Plus, family members supplying rides and companionship will also go a long way to avoid social isolation.
• Notify trusted neighbors: If your loved one lives alone, sometimes, unexpected problems could develop before you can get there. Find a trusted neighbor who will check on your family member and keep an eye out if anything comes up. The neighbor can alert you if an issue comes up with your loved one.
• Social technology: Social technology can make a family member feel connected to others. Help your senior develop the skills they need to contact family members and friends through Facebook and other social media. If the senior can't afford devices, it would make a great Christmas gift to give them as well as instructions on how to use it.
• Dining out: Many churches and senior centers have dinners and potluck dinners, encourage your loved one to go. Or provide transportation for them to meet a friend for lunch. Eating with another person will help to promote better nutrition, and they will be healthier for it.
• In-home care: If your family member is housebound, hiring a caregiver for companionship is another way for social activity. The caregiver can play cards, games, watch movies, or any other activity that your senior would enjoy. Plus, the caregiver can make meals, so your senior has company to eat with and pleasant conversation.

Making sure your loved one is socially active is essential for their mental and physical health. We here at Right at Home Smithtown can provide that social connection for your family member or loved one. Our in-home companions can be just what your loved one needs when you can't be there. Call us today or contact us online!