As people age, it’s common for their social circle to shrink. Your elderly loved one may feel isolated due to the loss of friends and family, children and grandchildren moving away, or the inability to participate in group activities they once enjoyed. Companion care can help bridge this gap by providing meaningful interaction and support, ensuring your loved one stays connected and engaged.
Common Signs That Your Loved One May Be Lonely.
While being alone doesn’t necessarily mean your loved one is lonely, it can sometimes make feelings of loneliness worse. She may not always share that she feels lonely, but you might start noticing some signs.
Companion care can be a great way to provide support and help reduce loneliness, offering meaningful interaction and connection.
- A decline in her physical health. Your loved one may stop eating or preparing healthy meals. You could see either a weight loss or gain, depending on how she’s coping with her loneliness and her relationship with food. She might also stop exercising and poorly manage any existing health conditions.
- A lack of self-care. If your senior feels like no one is going to see her or that no one cares about her, she might stop taking care of her hair, bathing regularly, or brushing her teeth.
- A decrease in doing things that used to make her happy. You might notice that she has stopped working on her hobbies, isn’t going for her daily walk, or has stopped calling up friends to chat.
- Her behavior or personality might change. While it is common to notice someone acting more sad and dejected when they feel lonely, your loved one could also display emotions like anger or irritability with others if she’s feeling especially isolated and lonely.
Loneliness Increases Health Risks
Loneliness and isolation can impact your loved one’s mental health and overall happiness, but they can also lead to serious health issues. Companion care providers can help address these challenges by providing social interaction and support.
Elderly individuals who are socially isolated or lonely are at a higher risk of hospital admissions or requiring nursing home care.
Other health conditions that can be impacted by loneliness include:
- Heart disease
- Dementia
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Weakened immune system
- Sleep disorders
Helping Your Loved One Combat Loneliness
The good thing, and the challenge, about addressing loneliness is that your loved one needs to take some steps on her own to overcome feelings of isolation.
Companion care providers can play a vital role in helping her connect with others and feel supported. You can encourage her to try activities or behaviors that create opportunities for connection, but consistency and follow-through will be essential for lasting results.
Fun ways to build connections can include:
- Joining a senior center and participating in events held at the location, like game nights, exercise classes, and teaching seminars.
- Signing up to volunteer at a favorite non-profit.
- Attending local events, even if she has to go alone. Just being around others can help her connect and form new friendships.
- Participating in activities at her place of worship or in her neighborhood.
Companion Care Can Help Combat Loneliness When Your Loved One Can’t Leave Home
If your loved one is mainly confined to her home for one reason or another, having someone regularly visit and provide companion care is one way to help relieve her loneliness. A provider offering companion care can play games with her, share in conversations, and help her feel like she’s seen, heard, and connected.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care in Silver Spring, MD, please contact the caring staff at A+ Personal Home Care. Call (443) 660-8757, After Hours: (443) 796-5241
A+ Personal Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Baltimore and the DC Metro Area, with offices in Pikesville and Gaithersburg.
At A+ Personal Home Care, our mission has always been to provide exceptional care, compassion, and a nurturing environment for our beloved community members. Over the years, we have strived to create a place where individuals can find solace, engage in meaningful activities, and receive the highest quality of medical attention.
A+ Personal Home Care is always striving to improve and exceed expectations. We welcome feedback and suggestions from our clients and their families, as your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our care programs. We want to ensure that we continue to meet your needs and remain a trusted pillar of support within our community.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the families who have placed their trust in us. Your support and loyalty inspire us to continue providing exceptional care every day. We are committed to fostering an atmosphere of love, respect, and dignity, and we consider it an honor to serve you and your loved ones.
Should you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our dedicated team. We are here to listen, assist, and ensure that your experience at A+ Personal Home Care remains fulfilling and positive.
Thank you once again for choosing A+ Personal Home Care as your partner in care. We look forward to sharing many more moments of joy, growth, and healing with you and your loved ones in the days to come.
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