January 18, 2016
Many seniors report feelings of loneliness due to loss of a spouse, not having family in their immediate area, or an inability to drive or get out of the house to visit others. Alarmingly, recent research indicates that senior loneliness may be dangerous to health. According to the researchers from the University of Chicago, seniors who suffer from loneliness and isolation are twice as unhealthy as those who are obese, and have a 14 percent greater risk of dying earlier than those experiencing normal socialization.
According to John Cacioppo, Professor of the University of Chicago Department of Psychology, “People are becoming more isolated, and this health problem is likely to grow.”
It’s important to note that preventing loneliness involves more than simply providing people for lonely seniors to interact with, although that is important. It is also a matter of reshaping their negative sense of self-worth and how others perceive them.
Hiring a professional in-home caregiver from a reputable St. Louis home care agency like Continuum can go a long way towards fostering feelings of belonging in lonely seniors. Contact us to learn more about the health and quality of life benefits that can be realized through a caregiver-senior bond.
Continuum’s caregivers can provide much needed companionship, transportation, and encouragement to help seniors stay active and socially engaged. Contact us to learn more about our senior care services.