It’s common for seniors who live alone to experience feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression. If your elderly loved one experiences these negative emotions, it’s important to take steps to help him or her feel happier. To ensure you can promote your loved one’s sense of wellbeing, here are four strategies for mitigating feelings of isolation.
1. Provide Reliable Transportation
A main reason for many seniors’ feelings of isolation is a lack of reliable transportation, which leaves them unable to leave their homes. Have family members or a caregiver provide transportation to social gatherings, such as family events and bingo games, to support your loved one’s ability to maintain social ties.
Homecare experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Promote a Sense of Purpose
Research shows having some level of responsibility can promote feelings of purpose and diminish feelings of loneliness and depression. If your loved one has a hobby, volunteers, or has another commitment, he or she will be less likely to experience feeling lonely. Additionally, as many hobbies are social in nature, your loved one can reap the benefits of socializing and having a sense of purpose at the same time.
3. Inform Neighbors
When seniors have mobility or cognitive challenges, they’re more likely to face feelings of isolation, as it’s more difficult for them to leave their homes safely and independently. Make it a point to introduce your loved one to his or her neighbors and ask them if they could check in on your parent and chat with him or her occasionally. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing there are people nearby to help your loved one if he or she needs it, and your loved one will have new companions to spend time with.
For families living in Clearwater, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
4. Prioritize Mealtimes
Urge your loved one to share meals with others. Whether your parent dines a couple of times a week with family members or at a senior center with friends, making dinner plans with companions will provide something to look forward to and reduce feelings of loneliness. As many seniors also experience diminished appetite and dislike eating by themselves, dining with others can ensure your loved one is eating enough.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to prevent isolation and loneliness in the elderly. Clearwater home care service professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.