January 10, 2019
Combat senior loneliness with in home senior care from Continuum of St. Louis.
With more than 325 million people residing in the U.S. alone, it is challenging to imagine that loneliness could be so prevalent. And yet over half of all older adults live alone, and over a million of them are likely to be chronically lonely. In truth, about 1/2 of older adults researched reported that their principal source of company is the tv.
Being lonely can result in acute health concerns as well, reported to have as great an influence as smoking and obesity, and can bring about depression, high blood pressure, and dementia, as well as an earlier mortality rate than those who happen to be socially connected.
How might you be sure that your senior loved ones steer clear of settling into isolation? The Campaign to End Loneliness recommends using the following measurement method. Check in with the older adults in your life to assess their answers to these three statements:
- I am content with my friendships and relationships.
- I have enough people I feel comfortable asking for support whenever needed.
- My relationships are as satisfying as I’d would like them to be.
If loneliness is a concern for a loved one in your life, there are a lot of steps you can take to assist:
- Check with your senior loved one’s next-door neighbors, friends, and members of his or her religious organization to try to set up scheduled visits.
- Utilize technology, including Facetime and Skype, allowing the senior to stay connected remotely.
- Look into available activities and classes for seniors from the local community college, senior center, and gym.
It’s also essential to rule out clinical depression or any other medical conditions as the root cause of your loved one’s loneliness. A loved one who might be isolating herself/himself as a consequence of psychological or physical issues requires experienced healthcare services to completely address the difficulty and receive relevant treatment.
One of the most effective strategies to alleviate loneliness in older adults is by engaging the St. Louis home care services of Continuum. Our caregiving companions spend quality time with seniors through:
- Cheerful conversations
- Participating in rewarding pastimes such as playing games, cards, exercise, hobbies, and favorite interests
- Sharing meals together
- Supplying the transportation and accompaniment needed to help seniors remain active in the world around them
- And so much more
Contact us any time at (314) 863-9912 or (636) 861-3336 to learn more about our award-winning senior care in St. Louis. We look forward to working with you to make certain that your senior loved one is socially active and enjoying life to the fullest!