More seniors are lonely and isolated than most people realize. It’s a hidden problem that causes serious health issues for aging adults. Companion care at home services is a very easy way for seniors to cope with loneliness and engage more with the world around them.
Why Do Seniors Get Lonely?
Everyone might feel lonely now and again, no matter what stage of life they’re in. Loneliness is a particularly challenging issue for aging adults because they’re at a point in life where their family members and friends may be very busy with other responsibilities.
They may have health issues that make it difficult for them to keep up with previous social schedules, or they may feel embarrassed about some of the issues they are facing. There can be more reasons, too, including loss of loved ones, lack of transportation, and even fear.
Recognizing the Signs
An important first step is for family caregivers and other people in the senior’s life to notice the signs of loneliness and isolation. Seniors might make excuses more often instead of showing up for family events, for instance, or they may no longer invite family members over to their homes.
Seniors may also stop engaging in hobbies and activities that they enjoyed in the past, sometimes without saying anything about those changes.
Talking to Seniors About Loneliness
If family caregivers start to notice some of these signs, it’s important to talk with seniors about what is happening. Starting out by mentioning what they’ve noticed and emphasizing that they want to help is helpful.
Seniors may not want to open up about what they’re feeling right away, though, so family members might need to bring the topic up more than once. Asking how seniors are feeling and whether they want help may be too vague and easy for seniors to dismiss. Gentle persistence can help families get answers.
How Companion Care at Home Helps
Companion care at home professionals are a unique type of home care service. Companion care at home involves a professional caregiver visiting seniors and spending time with them. They might engage them in familiar activities, watch TV with them, or simply sit and chat.
The main goal of this type of care is to offer seniors someone to spend time with and to socialize with so that they no longer isolate themselves or feel lonely.
Getting Other Types of Help for Seniors
While companion care at home doesn’t take care of activities of daily living for seniors, they may notice that seniors need help in those areas and mention what’s going on to family caregivers. That’s when other solutions, like elder care services, might also be beneficial.
In-home care providers offer daily support to seniors with tasks that are becoming more difficult for them to handle alone, which helps them to continue aging in place with dignity and independence intact.
Reducing senior loneliness means first recognizing the problem and then helping seniors accept solutions that work. Companion care at home providers offer compassionate support from caring professionals who really enjoy spending time with aging adults.
If you or someone you know needs Companion Care at Home in Granite Falls, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 525-7742 for more information.