Isolated seniors have become the new normal during the pandemic in order to ensure safety. Yet this isolation has come at a great cost, as research is confirming that socialization with others, and most notably senior socialization, is crucial to the wellness of both mind and body.
The outcomes point clearly to the impact of friendship and social engagement for older adults. A study executed by Rush University Medical Center showed that someone who reported a high degree of senior socialization was nearly twice as likely to remain free of a disability involving activities of daily living than someone with a lower degree of social activity, and about 1.5 times as likely to remain free of disability involving instrumental activities of daily living or mobility. Very social seniors had a 70% reduction in their rate of cognitive decline when compared with unsocial seniors.
Even so, being social is not instinctual to everybody, and for many, it turns out to be more challenging with age because one’s ability to get around can be greatly reduced. Here are several ways a home care agency such as Stay Home Care, the experts in senior home care in Nashville, TN and nearby areas, can help older adults stay social and protect their quality of life:
- Encourage attendance at and serve as a personal escort to social outings such as club meetings, community events like fairs, holiday activities and parades, concerts, plays, and sports events, faith-based services and activities.
- Share in playing interactive games with the senior such as board games, cards and Nintendo Wii.
- Plan and arrange for visits with neighbors and friends.
- Provide transportation to an adult day facility or a senior exercise class.
- Provide companionship during family celebrations or vacations for optimum safety and comfort.
- Introduce seniors to social networks such as Facebook and Skype to enable them to connect with family and friends even if they’re homebound.
In the Social Activity and Wellbeing of Older Australians Study, testing over 6,000 seniors over about 5-1/2 years, seniors who have routine, regular social activity were shown to have a slower decline in intellectual and memory capabilities. Better mental capacity was observed most in those people who were the most socially engaged.
Having a trusted home care agency provide in-home care to inspire and assist with senior socialization might just be one of the most significant ways to help an elderly adult continue to thrive and feel alive. Stay Home Care’s caregivers are all dedicated to supporting the independence, dignity, and social connection of every senior we serve. To learn more about our senior home care in Nashville, TN and the nearby communities, call us at 615-964-7726.