Social isolation is one of the leading causes of loneliness and depression among elderly people. Because these emotions often lead to more serious health concerns, it’s important to keep seniors socially connected and ensure they have purpose in their lives each day. Here are a few ways you can cheer your senior loved one up when he or she is feeling lonely.
Encourage Meeting Other Seniors
To combat loneliness and cheer your loved one up, consider setting up a meet-and-greet with other local seniors. For instance, if your loved one lives in an apartment building, host a lunch event that allows him or her to meet elderly neighbours with similar interests.
Regular social stimulation is necessary to boost a senior’s overall health and wellbeing. For families living in
Winnipeg, 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.
Utilize Modern Technology
Most seniors can learn how to use a computer or smartphone to contact friends and family members. If your loved one is able to use modern technology, set up a few basic accounts, such as a free account on a video chat service, and schedule a regular time to meet. If your loved one isn’t technologically savvy, write letters, send postcards, and call frequently to help him or her feel happy and socially connected.
Finding time to regularly visit your loved one may be challenging if you have other responsibilities to tend to. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional
in-home care, Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults address their health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
Adopt a Pet
Pets can offer companionship and help seniors find a sense of purpose in life. Before adopting, consider your loved one’s living space and personal health. Dogs are best for seniors with fenced-in yards or those who can go on walks regularly. Cats may be more appropriate for seniors who are housebound, and birds and aquatic animals like fish or frogs are low-maintenance pets to consider for those with limited mobility.
Hire a Caregiver
If your loved one has any health conditions that require some level of supervision, a professional caregiver can provide companionship and assistance with difficult tasks. A caregiver can spend a few hours a day with your loved one or provide 24-hour care if necessary. To choose someone your loved one enjoys spending time with, interview prospective caregivers carefully. You want to feel confident your loved one receives the care necessary to live a healthy lifestyle. Cheering up a lonely senior may be as simple as receiving help with tasks like cooking and cleaning or having someone who can take part in regular meaningful conversations.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of
homecare. Winnipeg families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To learn more about our highly trained caregivers, call us at (204) 489-6000.
